Queens, NY, February 21, 2012 -- Under a bill (S.585) co-sponsored by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), convicted graffiti vandals would get a taste of their own medicine and be required to clean up graffiti and repair damaged property as part of their sentences, according to the Queens lawmaker. 

“This legislation adds new meaning to the phrase, ‘Tag! You’re it!’,” said  Addabbo. “Specifically, people convicted of graffiti tagging would find that they’re the ones ultimately responsible for scrubbing off or otherwise removing stubborn paint on walls, buildings and wherever else this vandalism occurs. As part of their sentence, vandals would be forced to learn just how time-consuming and difficult it is to clean up graffiti and repair defaced property.”      

The legislation recently passed the New York State Senate, and will now go to the State Assembly for consideration. The only exceptions to the graffiti clean-up requirements in the bill would be in circumstances where the removal process is deemed unreasonably dangerous, or if no program providing for graffiti removal supervision exists in a specific area. This month, Addabbo, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and Assemblyman Mike Miller sponsored a graffiti clean-up in Middle Village.  

“Graffiti all too often mars neighborhoods and costs property owners a lot of time and money in clean-up costs,” said Addabbo. “This bill sends a clear message to graffiti vandals that if they spray, they’ll pay.” 

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