Number
091085
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the assignment of a full-time police officer dedicated to anti-graffiti activities.
Analysis
This resolution requests that the Milwaukee Police Department assign a full-time, dedicated police officer to anti-graffiti activities.
Body
Whereas, Incidents of graffiti are increasingly a cause of blight in the City with graffiti complaint calls to the Department of Neighborhood Services increasing 73% from October 31st of 2009 from the same date in 2008; and
Whereas, The City has seen fit to allocate an unprecedented $460,000 for graffiti abatement in its 2010 budget; and
Whereas, Graffiti vandalism on public and privately owned buildings and structures costs the City of Milwaukee and its taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year; and
Whereas, Graffiti is not simply a costly maintenance problem, but a complex social problem as well, which devalues neighborhoods and business areas because it gives the appearance of lawlessness and rampant criminal activity; and
Whereas, Graffiti is a severe property crime and must be treated as such or the proper respect will not be given to the laws against it and enforcement is a critical component to anti-graffiti efforts; and
Whereas, A full-time police officer dedicated to anti-graffiti activities would be able to act proactively, tracking and identifying taggers and graffiti vandals through use of the internet, and filing and aiding in successfully prosecuting graffiti vandalism; and
Whereas, At this time the Milwaukee Police Department does not have such a full-time dedicated officer; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council requests the Milwaukee Police Department to assign a full-time, dedicated police officer to anti-graffiti activities.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB09469-2
MET
12/3/09