Crime watch: The coronavirus isn’t the only thing spreading

While residents have been observing the statewide semi-quarantine, someone, perhaps several people, have been spraying graffiti around town. Most of the graffiti appears to be concentrated along Jos. Campau businesses.

By Charles Sercombe
Apparently, not everyone is adhering to the “stay home, stay safe” directive.
More and more, graffiti is once again appearing throughout the city. As usual, how many people are doing it and when are mysteries.
Apparently with fewer people out on the streets, there is less chance of getting caught.
So far, there have been no arrests.
The spread of graffiti has been noticed by the police department. One problem the department is facing is that few building owners are reporting the damage. To date, only three have made reports, two of which were made this past week.
“Building owners are strongly encouraged to file a police report, advise of any video they may have of the incident, and promptly take action to clean up the graffiti as soon as possible,” said Police Chief Anne Moise.
While officers are keeping an eye out for the vandals, and graffiti is considered an act of property destruction, the city has mailed out 20 notices to property owners to clean up the graffiti or face a fine.
There is a reason the city wants you to take immediate action to clean up the graffiti scrawlings.

Graffiti is considered vandalism and could be either a misdemeanor or felony crime, depending how much it costs to clean it up and how much damage it caused to a property. While building owners are victims, it is their responsibility to remove graffiti or face a fine.

“The longer the graffiti is left on a property, the more likely it encourages continued acts,” Moise pointed out.
Property owners who were vandalized and have security surveillance are encouraged to send that recording to the police department.
For those who are caught spraying graffiti, they could face misdemeanor or felony charges. The degree of the charge depends on the dollar amount of the damage caused.
Moise stresses that the public should immediately report any suspicious activity, or suspected acts of graffiti in progress.
For non-emergency matters, you can call (313) 800-5281. If there is a suspected crime in progress, call 911.
Posted May 8, 2020