NORTH BRUNSWICK — A 21-yearold South Brunswick resident was arrested in connection to several graffiti incidents in North Brunswick.
The North Brunswick Police Department arrested and charged Joseph Dallas, of Davidsons Mill Road, with 14 counts of criminal mischief on Jan. 18. Police suspect he is responsible for numerous graffiti tags on properties throughout North Brunswick using the name “TAMES.”
The Police Department and the Department of Community Development began a partnership two years ago in an effort to combat and manage incidents of graffiti and vandalism throughout town.
The township code for graffiti is modeled and written in compliance with a state law, the Municipal Beautification Act, P.L. 2006, which states, “…the owner of a building, structure or other exposed surface located in the township where graffiti has been placed shall remove such graffiti.”
“We recognize that the property damage caused by graffiti creates a frustrating burden on the property owner,” said Director of Community Development Michael Hritz. “Nonetheless, one of the primary means of combating graffiti is to have it immediately removed.”
Therefore, code enforcement officers photograph all incidents of graffiti and provide the photos to other officers and to the Detective Bureau for use not only as an investigative tool but as part of any potential prosecution.
“Graffiti can create a rippling effect of deterioration in an area and present a perception of criminal activity. We will continue to take an aggressive stance on apprehending offenders,” said KennethMc- Cormick, director of public safety.
“Certainly both residential and commercial property owners are frustrated when they are victims of graffiti and then noticed by the township that they must immediately remove the graffiti. But I am confident those prompt responses, combined with the efforts of the Police Department and our Community Development team, have established an effective deterrent,” said Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack.