In a little town called Ballina in Ireland they are finally started to see an increase in graffiti related crimes and are thinking of cracking down.

BALLINA Town Council has resolved to get tough to those responsible for graffiti in the town.

Council members were shocked when photographs of some crude graffiti in the Teeling Street car park in town were circulated at their monthly meeting on September 20 last.

The problem had been highlighted by Cllr Johnny O’Malley who tabled a motion that the Council adopt a bye law to deal with what he termed as “a particularly crude anti social behaviour that is becoming more and more prevalent in Ballina”.

He said those responsible for the graffiti were so insensitive and taking from the good work done by so many in the community such as the Tidy Towns committee.

He recommended that the Council adopt a bye law to make the practice an offence and that offenders be punished by means of community service involving the removal of the graffiti rather than fines.

“This impacts on people’s view of the town and their enjoyment of the town. I’m not interested in fines. I’m interested in naming and shaming, catching the culprits and making them take the time to remove the graffiti,” he concluded.

Read More: Council to get tough on graffiti artists