ORANGE : Anti-Graffiti Reward Program Gets Funding
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Residents who see a familiar face defacing property could earn some extra bucks with a phone call.
The City Council last week agreed to set $5,000 aside to reward residents who help police convict graffiti vandals. Callers could receive $100 to $500, depending on the crime, according to Police Chief John R. Robertson.
“The more (the taggers) did, the higher the rewards, so to speak,” Robertson said.
The department has rewarded seven people for information since the program began last year. Graffiti in the city has decreased since the program began, Robertson said.
Those convicted of tagging generally serve 100 to 150 hours of community service, pay a $100 fine, make restitution if they are able and lose driving privileges for a year.
The county spends about $24 million annually painting over graffiti, Robertson said, adding that the city spent about $100,000 last year.
“We are real pleased with what is going on in Orange,” he said. “We have more community service time available than graffiti to paint over.”
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