30 January 2008

HDC: Graffiti a community issue

Hastings District Council has appointed a new Environmental Enhancement Officer to help cut down and clean up graffiti vandalism in the area, but the new appointee warns that graffiti is a community issue which requires community based solutions. A telephone line and website dedicated to reporting graffiti in Hastings district have been established to help ensure tagging is dealt with as soon as possible. The public are encouraged to report graffiti by calling 0508 NOGRAFFITI (0508 664 723) or visiting www.nograffiti.co.nz.

Jacqui Barnes, now responsible for facilitating and promoting the clean-up of graffiti vandalism, believes the longer graffiti stays in place the more credence it gives the tagger.

“The quicker we can get it out of the way the better. That’s why it’s so important people tell us about any tags they see in their community,” said Mrs Barnes. Mrs Barnes said keeping Hastings beautiful was her primary driver for taking up the Council position.

“I’m doing this job because I have a real passion for Hastings. I don’t see why one particular group (taggers) should have such a big negative impact on such a great place as Hastings. It’s a community problem and it’s creating intimidation and fear, the sooner the community gets actively involved in stopping graffiti the better,” said Mrs Barnes. The graffiti reporting number is a free phone number: 0508 NOGRAFFITI (0508 664 723)

ENDS

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