von Reichbauer leads effort to bring issue of graffiti vandalism to light

This week Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer led an effort to increase awareness on the issue of graffiti vandalism in King County and build consensus towards a comprehensive solution. On Wednesday von Reichbauer along with fellow members of the King County Regional Policy Committee took part in a tour of a major graffiti vandalism site in South King County led by an undercover detective from the City of Kent.

“What became very obvious during our tour was that the issue of graffiti vandalism is no longer exclusive to urban areas,” said von Reichbauer, who represents South King County. “No city limits restrict these types of activities. This issue has evolved to encompass rural and suburban areas as well.”

Following the tour von Reichbauer led a Regional Policy Committee meeting at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent that focused on graffiti vandalism and other regional criminal justice issues. During the meeting the committee heard from King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, who delivered her annual report, reviewed her proposed initiatives for 2008, and discussed other critical criminal justice concerns facing King County. The meeting concluded with a briefing on proposed legislation to restrict access to the instruments of the vandalism problem.

“Graffiti vandalism is a serious concern for our region, particularly in South King County,” said von Reichbauer. “My hope is that through a regional dialogue we can develop broad solutions to attack gang activities and graffiti from all directions. We need solutions that bring enforcement, abatement, and regulation together with positive alternatives for youth. I think today was the beginning of building towards a comprehensive and aggressive solution.”

In 2004 the King County Metro Transit Division spent $107,098 cleaning up graffiti. In 2005 the cost jumped to $192,922. Last year graffiti became the most expensive source of vandalism for Metro Transit, accounting for 54% of that division’s vandalism costs. Since 2003 the overall cost of graffiti to King County taxpayers has more than doubled.

The Regional Policy Committee reviews and recommends plans and policies of county-wide significance and is made up of members of the King County Council, Seattle City Council, and the Suburban Cities Association. The committee plans to revisit the issue of gang activity and graffiti vandalism at its December 12 meeting at 3:00 pm in Seattle.