MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Councill will ramp up efforts to stem graffiti vandalism, as unsightly tagging continues to deface public and private buildings across the peninsula.
At the end of July, the council will host a graffiti management workshop with stakeholders to identify graffiti issues across the peninsula and discuss mitigating graffiti through creative programs. A council spokesperson said graffiti was already “promptly” removed on shire assets, and the council actively encouraged graffiti to be removed from non-shire assets as soon as possible.
For graffiti on non-shire assets the council recommends reporting it to the police, or when on public utilities (for example power poles) it can be reported to the relevant utility owner.
Since 2020 the council has launched partnerships with NBN Co, local Aboriginal organisations, and artists to offer creative opportunities to combat graffiti, with research suggesting that public art prevents ongoing graffiti, strengthen community pride, engages young people and improves public places. Several murals in known hot spots at Rosebud, Mornington and Somerville have helped keep the graffiti at bay, and Warner Youth Education is addressing graffiti prevention in schools thanks to a state government grant.
This year, in May, the council wrote to NBN Co. Ltd, VicRoads, Melbourne Water, Telstra, United Energy, South East Water, Parks Vic and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, about increasing graffiti and vandalism of public assets where the shire is not the responsible authority. “We are seeking to engage with these authorities to ensure that graffiti of assets under their control is rectified as soon as practicable,” a council spokesperson said.
At one point, Mornington Peninsula was Victoria’s graffiti capital, followed by Melbourne, Kingston, Darebin and Ballarat, according to 2017 Crime Statistics Agency data, despite the offence attracting maximum fines of more than $38,000 and up to two years imprisonment.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said it worked with council and businesses to investigate all instances of criminal damage, graffiti, or vandalism. “It is not only an extremely frustrating crime for local businesses, residents and the public transport network and its commuters, but graffitiing in dangerous locations such as around the rail network or high locations can also result in horrific injuries,” the spokesperson told The News.
“Police see graffiti as a gateway crime to much more serious offending, with young people becoming more embedded in a culture of crime leading to further anti-social behaviours. “This is why police do everything possible to target vandals early.”
Victoria Police encourages members of the community to report any instances of graffiti vandalism to their property via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or visit police.vic.gov.au/palolr.
Anyone who witnesses a crime or has information which may assist in an investigation can also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
First published in the Mornington News – 25th June 2024
