Ordinance provides for timely cleanup of graffiti

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD — An ordinance which seeks to protect Freehold Borough’s appearance was adopted at a Borough Council meeting on Feb. 17.

No member of the public objected to the law which addresses the removal of graffiti from properties in the borough. The ordinance originated in the Freehold Borough Police Department.

The ordinance addresses the removal of graffiti in a timely and proactive manner. It states that this issue is “a necessary step in combating gangs as they use markings to establish identity and presence in a community, which is counterproductive to the quality of life of Freehold Borough neighborhoods.”

The ordinance states that by reducing graffiti in an expeditious manner, the amount of recognition so-called graffiti artists receive will be reduced and it will help retain the hometown appearance Freehold Borough represents.

When graffiti is found on a home or business, a notice will be sent to the property owner to advise him he has 15 days to remove it.

If the owner does nothing to remove the graffiti in 14 days, the borough will be permitted to remove it and the owner will have to reimburse the borough. Failure to do so may result in a property lien, according to the ordinance.

The ordinance states that any person violating the ordinance will be punished with a fine of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,250 for each subsequent offense, or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 60 days, or by both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins said the fines pertain to those who create the graffiti and to those who fail to clean it off their property.

The borough may offer a reward in the amount of $100 to any person with information leading to the identification and apprehension of any person who willfully damages and destroys any public property by the use of graffiti.

No claims for a reward will be allowed unless the police chief or designee investigates and verifies the accuracy of the claim and determines that the requirements of the law have been satisfied. The reward will only be given upon notification by the Municipal Court that the matter has been adjudicated.