BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – The city is cracking down on graffiti thanks to a new ordinance that calls for fines of up to $500 for people caught painting messages or images on walls.

The law also establishes removal teams made up, at least in part, by people caught defacing property.

In the last two months police have given out 22 tickets to alleged graffiti “taggers.”

Burlington Police Deputy Chief Mike Schirling said there had been a big increase in graffiti in the last 18 months.

“It’s an unbelievable disrespect,” said Schirling. “It serves no purpose whatsoever.”

“Graffiti erodes the infrastructure of our community. If the community tolerates it, we will see more of it,” said Yiota Ahladas.

To fight graffiti, it has to be removed as soon as it appears.

“If you let it sit there, more of it comes,” said Ahladas. “It’s a downward spiral once it takes over.”

So far this month, volunteers have cleaned 150 images from lampposts, planters and the sides of buildings.

Angie Spong, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer who led the graffiti removal team until recently, said it could cost hundreds of dollars for supplies to remove graffiti.

“It takes just a few seconds to spray on, but it’s a real pain to get off,” Spong said.

Schirling said the fines don’t approach the costs of removing graffiti.

—

Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com

AP-ES-08-26-07 0911EDT