There were 283 incidents of graffiti last year in Orillia, but not one property owner seemed interested in the OPP’s advice on how to deal with it.
Shawn Crawford, the city’s manager of legislative services, presented a report Tuesday to the Orillia Police Services Board. He noted 43 properties had been targeted multiple times, with the most common tags being “CASPER,” “BANE,” WIND,” “WINDIGO,” “JESP,” “FASE,” “KB,” “KAH BOOM,” “MALT 800” and “TLLT.”
Crawford reached out to 109 property owners, who were invited to contact Orillia OPP to seek advice on how to deter the mischief (using landscaping changes, cameras, etc.).
“Unfortunately, no one took us up on that offer,” he said.
Mayor Steve Clarke floated the idea of a public information session, but no action was taken on that idea.
In 2017, Orillia OPP charged five people with mischief under $5,000. In January, someone was charged in relation to the tag “679.” In August, two men were charged in connection to the “WINDIGO” tag. In December, two youths were charged in relation to “CASPER" and "BANE" tags.
As soon as graffiti is spotted, the city makes a record of it and asks property owners to remove it.
“The private property owners have been very co-operative,” Crawford said.
He has been looking into options that involve combating graffiti with art. He has spoken with staff in Barrie, where murals have been created to discourage graffiti. Staff there reported it has been successful.
Insp. Veronica Eaton, commander of Orillia OPP, said she would be getting in touch with an owner of a Circle K convenience store, who is interested in a similar mural project.
Crawford’s report will go to council committee, with the recommendation staff and Orillia OPP report in the first quarter of 2019 on the “proactive Graffiti By-law Enforcement Initiative” and the outcome of the OPP’s graffiti enforcement efforts in 2018.
Police board member Rick Fraracci praised the police for their work.
“This unit is a very high-energy group of officers. Crime doesn’t go to them; they go to it,” he said. “I would put down my spray cans.”
