Gripe Vine Readers:
I have received a number of complaints from you voicing your concern on graffiti seen in various areas of the city. Some of the areas described are Ocean Avenue and Sawmill Road. Over the years Gripe Vine has made efforts through city offices to have these unsightly messages removed.
For the record, the City Council of West Haven has adopted ordinances relating to graffiti and its subsequent penalties. Those individuals responsible for this offense will note the following information:
A-129-7 Graffiti; No person shall write, paint or place any paint chalk or any other substance or substances or otherwise mark, scratch, place, carve or etch graffiti on the real or personal property of another, whether the real or personal property be publicly or privately owned, unless the owner of the property has specifically consented to the same, prior to the commission of the act or acts.
B- The owner or occupant of the property, or both, shall not permit graffiti to remain on any residential, commercial or industrial property for a period more than five business days after it is first discovered or should have been discovered.
C- Notwithstanding the foregoing, any graffiti which comprises a desecration of property as defined otherwise in C.G.S46a-56 or otherwise violates such statute, shall be removed immediately by the owner or occupant of the property.
Now readers, the penalties: Each violation will be considered a separate offense, each day any violation continues, shall constitute a separate offense and each separate offense under this chapter, shall be punishable by a civil penalty of $100.
So, readers, as I see it, if an individual thinks it’s a big joke to spray paint obscenities on someone’s property, from what I have read from the city’s graffiti law, it is absolutely not humorous at all. There are legal proceedings in the Superior Court, remedial costs and attorney fees, just to name a few financial expenses. From what I have learned, police investigators have methods in which they can discover particular writing styles, etc., enabling the law to assist in arresting violators.
A handshake to local police…I have received very few loud, annoying motorcycle complaints lately, however, there are still grumbles relating to Ocean Avenue. I am anticipating an improvement soon.
Coming up: Ocean Ave speeding cars, graffiti on Ocean Avenue and Sawmill Road, garbage on the beach on Ocean Avenue..Severe erosion on the beach on Ocean Avenue, illegal parking on the even side of Washington Avenue, Morse Park Ball Fields lighting late at night…damaged tree at Anderson and Thomas Street, left lane traffic light at Campbell Avenue..street repaving needed at North Forest Circle, Beach Street road repair gripe and much more.
You can submit your gripes, comments and complaints to gripevine4wh@aol.com or write to me c/o The West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. Please include your name, address and phone number kept in strict confidence with me. However, if I receive a gripe that I would really like to give my attention to, if you don’t include an address or specific location, it can’t be solved.