OJAI : Strict Anti-Graffiti Plan to Be Examined

Merchants in the city of Ojai could be forced to hide or lock up their spray-paint cans and other “implements” of graffiti used by taggers on public or private property.

Under a proposal being considered at tonight’s City Council meeting, Ojai would adopt a law similar to a model ordinance drafted in the city of San Diego, said City Manager Andrew Belknap.

“That’s the main change here,” he said. Spray-paint, markers and other items used in graffiti “would have to be in a locked cabinet or be in an area that is not immediately accessible to the public.”

City Atty. Monte Widders said if the recommendation is approved, violators would be guilty of an infraction and subject to a fine of between $50 and $500.

Earlier this year, the state Supreme Court upheld a similar ordinance in Los Angeles County, where officials had mandated that businesses secure spray-paint and other materials used to deface property, Widders said.

“Hopefully, (the ordinance) will reduce the amount of graffiti. That’s the purpose of it,” Widders said. “It’s not too big a problem now, and we hope to keep it that way.”

Under state law, it already is illegal for minors to possess any instrument for graffiti unless they are at school or home, Widders wrote in a report to the council.