By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
GRAFFITI vandals will soon be looking over their shoulders after the State Government launched a campaign last week calling on Casey’s youth to report offenders for a monetary reward.
Crime Prevention Minister Edward Donohue was in Narre Warren last Thursday to announce the Dob in a Tagger campaign which will see Crime Stoppers receive $150,000 to run the project which is aimed at encouraging young people to report graffiti vandals to police for a $500 reward.
The reported information must result in an arrest or charge being laid for the reward to be received.
Crime Stoppers CEO Samantha Hunter said youths were more likely to have intelligence on graffiti vandals.
“With the support of the community and police, Crime Stoppers has helped bring thousands of criminals to justice and, with the public’s support, we can crack down on those who deface public property,” Ms Hunter said.
VicRoads has also benefitted from the graffiti crackdown with Mr O’Donohue announcing the roads authority will receive an additional $200,000 for a targeted blitz on freeway graffiti.
“The Napthine Government understands that graffiti along our freeways is something that many Victorians feel very strongly about,” Mr O’Donohue said.
“It is unsightly and it is illegal. It also makes people feel unsafe. This additional funding will allow VicRoads to hit this scourge on our landscape even harder.”
A spokesperson for Mr O’Donohue said the funding for both projects will come from the minister’s crime prevention portfolio.
Graffiti vandals currently face maximum fines of more than $34,500 and two years in prison.
Anyone with information about illegal graffiti should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit its new website at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
