Int 0122-2006

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Legislative intent and findings. Graffiti vandalism continues to plague New York City, as well as other localities across the country. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been proactive in combating graffiti, and implementing new strategies to address this crime. The NYPD’s Anti-Graffiti Initiative includes the formation of a Citywide Vandals Task Force comprised of nearly 80 law enforcement officials; the appointment of Anti-Graffiti Coordinators on each local command level focusing resources for enforcement, cleanup, and education initiatives; the revitalization of the NYPD’s anti-graffiti reward program; and the creation of a centralized intelligence graffiti database to identify known graffiti vandals with their signatures or “tags.” This graffiti database records arrest information for vandals along with a photo of the damage caused. Information regarding graffiti complaints is entered as well, to further help the NYPD identify offenders with their tags. The Pittsburgh Police Department unveiled its own Graffiti Tracking System in the spring of 2005. The interactive database allows authorities to access specifics on all reported graffiti: digital images, location, style and revealing characteristics, such as signatures of the vandals. By analyzing the information, police are better able to link as many incidents of vandalism as possible to those responsible. The City Council believes that providing such a comprehensive database online, easily accessible to New Yorkers, will assist the Police Department in apprehending graffiti vandals. Such a database will also provide communities with valuable information about quality of life in their neighborhoods. §2. Chapter 1 of title 14 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to add a new section 14-152, to read as follows: §14-152. Graffiti Tracking System. The department shall make available to the public on or through the department’s web site, the following information: For each precinct and patrol borough, the location of graffiti vandalism. For each precinct and patrol borough, the location of graffiti arrests. For each precinct and patrol borough, photographs, when available, of convicted graffiti offenders. For each precinct and patrol borough, photographs, when available, of graffiti “tags”. §3. This local law shall take effect immediately. TB Int 771/2005