Quinn presents graffiti plan to Dublin City Councl
Issued : Tuesday 6 June, 2006
Labour Party Councillor for Rathmines, Oisin Quinn, has made a major submission to Dublin City Council regarding the upsurge in unsightly graffiti that has spread across the capital in recent years. Cllr Quinn presented the following submission to the Council’s Environment Committee on the issue on Wednesday, 31st May 2006.
Cllr Quinn commented, “Graffiti is a significant problem that should not be underestimated. It damages property and creates a run-down atmosphere. Together, this contributes to an atmosphere of crime and a general sense of apprehension in the community.
“There is also a cost to the Local Authorities, businesses, and residents who ultimately have to remove graffiti.
“At present, the City Council has no strategy to address the graffiti problem. There is no joined-up overall approach between the Gardai and Council authorities about how to reduce current levels of graffiti and to ensure that those responsible are apprehended.
“In my submission I have taken examples from places as far apart as Bath in England, New York, and New South Wales to demonstrate various initiatives that have been taken by authorities to address the problem. These include the rapid removal of new graffiti, the painting of attractive murals on
popular graffiti sites, and working with those prosecuted for
graffiti-related offences to ensure they do not re-offend.
“Taking all these examples into consideration I have devised a six-point plan to tackle the graffiti scourge:
1. The Gardai should have a special unit to trace new graffiti offences and to report them and to follow up with the offenders.
2. The Gardai and City Council should ensure that the offender co-operates in removing the graffiti, but in certain circumstances prosecutions should follow;
3. A dialogue with offenders must be established and murals, artistic zones or areas where graffiti can be gauged should be identified;
4. The Council must have a properly resourced, efficient system for the removal of graffiti in public places, both from public and private property;
5. The Council should work in partnership with the Gardai, Councillors, public utilities companies, transport providers, Chamber of Commerce, business and traders groups, and residents associations to ensure that everyone is aware of the plan being followed and that they have been put into same;
6. There should be a clear, quick and identifiable method for the public to report graffiti – ideally a designated 24-hour hotline should be available.
“Simple steps such as these would ensure a much more pleasant environment for all residents and an end to much of the unsightly graffiti that has emerged across the city.”
For more information contact Oisin Quinn at 087 252 0011
Cllr 
