Council backs administration's attempt to curb graffiti in East Providence
Schedule of fines increases, property owners can seek restitution
By Mike Rego
Posted 5/22/23
EAST PROVIDENCE — The City Council at its May 16 meeting passed an amended ordinance requested by the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva and the East Providence Police Department, …
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Council backs administration's attempt to curb graffiti in East Providence
Schedule of fines increases, property owners can seek restitution
Posted
EAST PROVIDENCE — The City Council at its May 16 meeting passed an amended ordinance requested by the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva and the East Providence Police Department, which strengthens language to combat graffiti vandalism.
The revisions, approved on a 4-1 vote, enable the city to have the person who defaces property responsible in the removal of the damage within 10 days and failure to do so results in the matter being referred to the East Providence Municipal Court and the responsible party to be fined:
- $100 for the first offense
- $250 for the second offense
- $500 for each subsequent offense
It also enables a property owner to recover a fine and damages of up to $1,000 per incident ordered by the court.
The revised ordinance also enables the city to fine any minor or adult placing graffiti on any city-owned property or private property without permission. Violators will be fined:
- $250 and/or 50 hours of community service for the first offense
- $350 and/or 100 hours of community service for the second offense.
- And at least one parent or guardian of the minor shall be present for a minimum of 50 percent of the assigned community service.
In addition to the fines, the violator will be made to make restitution to the victim for damages or loss caused by the graffiti and will be forced to remove the graffiti within 24 hours after notice by the city or property owner. Police officers are also authorized to issue a citation for any violation of graffiti.
Lastly, the ordinance will make it unlawful for business owners to provide a minor with graffiti materials such as spray paint without written consent from the minor’s parents or guardian. If a business owner sells to a minor without parental consent, it will be fined $100 for each offense.
“This amended ordinance sends a strong message that graffiti will not be tolerated in East Providence,” EPPD Chief Chris Francesconi said. “This ordinance sets forth stricter penalties for those who deface public and private property in our city.”
In April, DaSilva announced the establishment of a Graffiti Eradication Task Force to deal with the problem and encourage residents to report incidents for swift removal and investigation.
“The amendment to the ordinance as well as the establishment of the Graffiti Eradication Task Force is part of the city's commitment to ensuring that our neighborhoods remain safe, clean, and visually appealing for all residents and visitors and that violators are held accountable for their actions,” DaSilva said.
Property owners, requesting the city to remove the graffiti from their properties, will need to fill out a graffiti removal consent form available here: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/form/graffiti-removal-consent-form-property-owners.
To report graffiti vandalism or suspicious activity, residents can:
- call the East Providence Police Department at (401) 435-7600
- use the Tip411 App https://www.tip411.com/tips/eastprovidenceripd/new
- use the Request for Service tool https://eastprovidenceri.qscend.com/311/request/add
- visit the city’s website at www.eastprovidenceri.gov.
Reports can be made anonymously, and all information provided will be treated with confidentiality.
(Updated, corrected, June 2) A note of correction on this story a version of which ran in the June 1 print edition of The Post. The vote count was misreported as unanimous. The actually tally on the ordinance was 4-1 with Ward 4 Councilor Rick Lawson voting against.
