Las Vegas NowCity of Las Vegas Getting Tough on Taggers

City of Las Vegas Getting Tough on Taggers

The City of Las Vegas is adding more ammunition in their war against graffiti vandals. City Council members approved stiffening penalties, raising fines and if caught destroying property, taggers could even lose their drivers license.

Graffiti is more than an eyesore, it's a tell-tell sign of a bigger problem; gangs.

Not only does it deface the community, but it cost tax payers nearly $30 million to clean it all up. City Council members have had enough.

Clark County Targeting Graffiti

Take a drive through the valley and it won't take long to find.

"They will go down here and do the entire neighborhood," said Travis Tapia. It's his job to cover it all up, "It's a full time job, all day, every day."

He spends hours fixing the damage graffiti vandals took just seconds to leave behind.

"We are not going to have this graffiti on our public and private property. I am not going to stand for it," said Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow. "It is ugly and I am looking to beautify the community."

Barlow says it's not only an eyesore, but a pain in taxpayer's pocketbooks too. Last year, Clark County spent $30 million to undo the taggers tattoo, "I would like to see that money being used for things like education. We can educated young people on how to do positive things."

The writings on the wall also reveal a gang problem. Fed up with the mess, Barlow championed a new city ordnance to crack down, "The gangs are marking for territory, but we are sending a clear message that we are not going to tolerate it."

Now fines are higher and those caught leaving their mark will have to do community service cleaning it up. If you are a minor your parents will pay for the graffiti removal, and if you are 18-years-old or over, you could lose your drivers license for up to two years.

"It's not a tooth for a tooth, eye for an eye, but more so trying to get their attention to say you need to stop," said Barlow.

Taggers keep graffiti removal crews busy all day long. City Council members are hoping tough laws will help give them a break.

Email your comments to Reporter Travell Eiland