Klein Bill To Make Graffiti Vandals Clean Up Their Blight Passes Chamber

 The bill, (S.585), came as a result of Senator Klein's work to clean up graffiti and other blights in the communities that he represents. Senator Klein sponsors a graffiti removal program that cleans up 80 to 90 sites a month in the Bronx and Westchester areas.

Legislation by Senator Jeffery D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), that would mandate convicted graffiti vandals to participate in clean-up programs as part of their sentence recently passed the State Senate.

“Graffiti is more than a quality of life issue. It creates blight, damages property and creates financial hardship for taxpayers and business owners,” Senator Klein said. “My legislation will help alleviate some of these burdens, while giving these vandals an up-close look at the damages that they caused.”

The legislation will require courts to assign anyone convicted of making graffiti, or being in possession of a graffiti instrument, to participate in a local graffiti removal program. There are exceptions in the event that no such local program exists, or that such a clean-up would be unnecessarily dangerous. Permission from the owner would also be needed to clean up private property.

Senator Klein's graffiti removal program can be reached at 718.822.2049.