Tagging Vandals hit Mt Pleasant

By Fiona Simms

May 18, 2006

Several streets in the Mount Pleasant area were vandalized on Tuesday night as Graffiti hooligans tagged boats, cars and houses.

The tags “Skant” and “Afflikt” were left in black stylized paint, with some houses being targeted several times during the thoughtless spree.

Mr and Mrs Pattison of The Promenade had their boat and front wall vandalized for the second time in two years. Mr Pattison said: “These reprobates don’t realize the cost and damages they inflict on innocent people in their homes”.

Along with reports of this graffiti spree, residents complained of a recent spate of arson. Council rubbish bins were set on fire in several driveways in the same area. This prompted great concern for flammable items they may be in the bins, unknown by the reckless vandals, and the risk of damage to children and houses at the hands of fire.

83 year old Barb Willis of St Michael Street said: “I don’t understand it, it’s pointless and I’m scared. Older people living alone shouldn’t have to worry after years of dedication to our communities, it’s sad, it’s sad”.

The cost associated with the removal of the eyesore tagging is something many citizens and families hadn’t budgeted for. Mark Thompson of Reynolds Road said: “I’ve only been moved in a few weeks, it’s my first home and it’s heartbreaking. I don’t know how I'm gonna get that crap off my limestone”. Mr Thompson had spent several weekends erecting the wall by himself to save money.

There are new measures being developed to identify graffiti artists by their tags and enable police to prosecute repeat offenders, but the program is in its formative stages.