Community can help stop graffiti

GUEST EDITORIAL

MOSES LAKE — Tagging and graffiti have become a continued source of frustration and humiliation within our community, as well as the men and women of the Moses Lake Police Department.

We’ve witnessed a rash of senseless destruction to public and private property within the past year. These acts result in absolutely no profit or gain to those who choose to commit the acts. Most tagging is an act of defiance, in attempt to intimidate, degrade and claim ownership. Taggers have absolutely no sympathy, regret or remorse to the victims. Unfortunately, the consequences for the few who are caught are minimal.

Our response to graffiti and vandalism includes rotating security cameras in target areas, enhanced patrols, foot and bike patrols, public awareness and rewards. Unfortunately, our resources must be diverted to address these specific issues.

We encourage all property owners to consider installation of alarms and security cameras. Most insurance carriers offer incentives and reductions in premiums to those who invest in their facility security. In addition, we work with property owners to assure they are in compliance with the city’s nuisance ordinance, which requires the immediate removal of graffiti. Future strategies include a special two-officer unit, assigned exclusively to target street crimes.

You may suspect that property crimes have risen drastically in our community. However, property crimes are actually down significantly, according to the 2009 Uniform Crime Report. Burglaries decreased by 18 percent and larceny by 15 percent. Overall, property crimes have decreased by 14 percent since 2008.

As summer approaches I ask you to do your part in keeping our community clean of tagging and graffiti. Consider organizing a block watch in your neighborhood. Introduce yourself to your neighbor; help watch out for each other. If nothing else, take the time to call in anything that looks suspicious. We need your eyes and ears.

With your help we can continue to make Moses Lake the great community that instills pride, character and ownership.

The Moses Lake police can be contacted by calling 9-1-1 during emergencies or 509-766-9230 during office hours.