Graffiti on the rise in Cobourg.
“Historically graffiti has always done in ebbs and flow,” said Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf.
“Unfortunately we’re in a flow. There is a lot of graffiti.”
On buildings, bridges, mailboxes, underpasses and more there are signs of graffiti or even tagging.
VandeGraaf told Today’s Northumberland that police do get notified about it, “but not as much as in relation to what we see.”
Two people were charged with mischief in relation to a incident at the life guard station in Cobourg.
The two individuals paid for the damages and as yet the case hasn’t been resolved in court, VandeGraaf said it’s going to diversion.
Images of two suspects were released by police after they were found spray painting a breakwall along the lakeshore.
VandeGraaf said both council and police are interested in discussing a Graffiti Task Force.
“Now is the time even during this pandemic that we as a municipality have to come together and look at some sort of task force to discuss how collaboratively approach graffiti from the art form that it is, to the mischief that it is at times.”
But VandeGraaf maintains, “defacing someone’s property is unacceptable.”
“We have to come up with a big project. And I know it’s a big undertaking, but first and foremost, graffiti is mischief. Art is art. And there is a very fine line between the two.”
But the bottom line VandeGraaf adds, “respect other peoples property. Be it the municipalities property, private industry or private property.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
