The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A14 - The Canadian Champion, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Convicted vandals can face jail term of up to two years * rorn F'UBIC S on page AI deface property wîîh graffiti t0 realize the far- reaching impact they're having. "If tbey damage private property, the (Town) bylaw says that private individuai has to, dean tbe graffiti up. Its costing that person money," hie said. "And when its on public property the Town bas to dlean it Up -that cornes out of their parents' tax base. Its the residents that ail lose in the long mun." The Town budgeted $30,000 for graffiti cleanup in 2008, and council aiso approved a graffiti policy earlier ibis year. The miles say staff wiil remove any bateful, racist and obscene graffiti on Town-owned property within 24 hours of being reported, while graffiti on high-profile areas and assets wiil hc icmax ý\cL wfi iî - îurs oi tîîanlîction. ias oi aI> ii m~ ai ln cases wbere theres bateful, racîst graf- individuai or group. fiti, the Town won't be cleaning it up until He also said tbaî while some graffiti may Halton Regionai Police bave been advised be gang-influenced, Milton doesn't bave a and investigated. In ail other graffiti cases, gang probiem. Tbere may be closely-knit staff wili report and pbotograpb tbe incident groups of friends wbo are defacing property and send it to, tbe police for tbeir database. witb graffiti, but tbey're not gangs. Town Director of Engineering Services ln addition to reacting to tbe graffiti tbat Paul Cripps said the municipality greatiy surfaces around town, police are also taking appreciates it wben residenis let tbem know proactive steps to, deal witb tbe probiem, about graffiti thats on Town property sucb as tbrough education in scbools and "Graffiti is an important issue that we visible patroiling. bave to, address," bie said. Drinkwalter said tbere are consequences Drinkwalter said wbile tberes been some for tbose wbo cboose to vandalize property incidents of batte graffiti and offler types of wi tb graffiti, including up to, two years in jail offensive markings, sucb as tbose of a sexu- for a serious offence. "Graffiti is a criminal ai nature, be said tbe majority of graffiti is offence, and if you're convicted it couid Earier thîs y car, the Milton Coînmunity Poicing Commîttre (MCPC) beld a meeting to discuss the local graffiti situation. Committee cbair Tony Lambert said tbe issue remains a concern for tbe committee. To report a graffiti incident to police, caîl (905) 878-5511 and ask for the communica- tions rom to, bave an officer sent out to, tbe scene. To reacb Crime Stoppers caîl 1-800- 222-TIPS (8477). To noiify tbe Town tbat its property bas been vandalized witb graffiti, cal1 the Engineering Services department at (905) 878-7252, ext. 2500. Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhen- nessey@nîiltoncanadianchampion.com. Mcditerrtue Grill LIVE.Gr.k Bond à&BlyDoece Two Seaiings ôpm & 9pm 905-864-3322ba~i