Taggers on the loose

by Mui Pin Tan

April 29, 2008

GRAFFITI has once again plagued Murdoch University’s campus, with the walls of its non-denominational worship centre being targeted on April 26.

It was the first time the centre was targeted by vandals.

The pink, blue and green “tags” were spray painted over the outer walls.

“We’re looking at someone young based on the height of the graffiti, between the ages of 15-17,” said a member of the university’s security team (name withheld). “Judging from the detail of the tag, they might be more experienced “bombers” making their sign, with no indication of racial threats or anything vulgar.”

The security man was seen by eMu News at the worship centre, looking for materials that might have been left behind such as cigarette butts, spray cans or litter.

Head of security, Calvin Latchmiah, was called but declined to comment, directing all enquiries to the uni’s media arm. The uni’s spinners, in turn, said Mr Latchmiah’s branch would be the best to speak to.

“I have followed up with cleaning services and management as well as security services and they pretty much took care of it on the spot,” uni venue co-ordinator Nic Compos said. “Hopefully now that this has happened, security will be more vigilant around that area.”

Located prominently between the footpath from the on-campus housing, students pass by the worship centre daily.

“It’s like a dog marking its territory, it just doesn’t make sense and it looks ridiculously ugly,” said Mariko Grose, a student villager.

Built in 1996, the centre is managed by the university and Perth Theological Hall, and used by all religious groups.

“The few that give a bad name to the many is someone with a lot of time on their hands to do something so appalling,” said an anonymous centre staffer.

On Monday morning, eMU News spotted cleaners assessing the damage.

“I hope it will be removed as soon possible,” Mr Campos said of the graffiti.