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Law to crack down on graffiti in Niles stalls again
By Jordan Cohen
NILES
For the second-consecutive meeting, the third reading of an ordinance requiring property owners or occupants to remove graffiti from their buildings has been placed on hold by city council. The ordinance was introduced in early October.
Under one of the provisions, owners would have to remove the graffiti within 10 days after receiving notice from the zoning inspector. If they fail to comply within the 10-day period, the city would remove the graffiti, charge the labor and other costs on the tax duplicate and place a lien on the property.
The latest delay stems from a request from the city planning commission for changes in the ordinance. In a letter to council, the commission asked for an extension of the 10-day period for such reasons as inclement weather, which could cause a delay in compliance. The commission also asked that property owners not be held responsible for removal costs in those cases where individuals are captured and convicted of defacing property with graffiti. Those convicted would be required to reimburse the city.
Three people recently were indicted by the Trumbull County grand jury on felony charges related to graffiti and defacing buildings in Niles. Police Chief Robert Hinton and Mayor Ralph Infante said that since those arrests, they have not received any additional graffiti complaints. Nonetheless, council members appear to support the legislation unanimously.
“I want to see this ordinance passed, and we should bring it back in,” said Ed Stredney, D-3rd Ward.
Steve Papalas, D-at large, who moved to table the ordinance after learning of the planning commission’s concerns, said he agrees with the intent of the legislation.
“It’s a good ordinance, and we will vote on it probably next meeting,” Papalas said.
The ordinance describes graffiti as a word, figure or mark painted upon buildings, trees, gates and walls that “defaces, damages or destroys any private, real or personal property without the privilege to do so.”