SUMMARY
It is well documented that the direct costs associated with the crime of graffiti vandalism are increasing not only within the ten Cities of Ventura County (Cities) but across the country.

The 2011-2012 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) decided to examine the current direct cost impact on the Cities based on the numerous incidences of graffiti occurring in these communities.

All Cities, with the exception of the City of Ojai (Ojai), reported graffiti as a significant source of financial impact on their city budget. The eight Cities reporting direct costs for their graffiti programs spent over $1.5 million in the 2010/2011 Fiscal Year (FY). The Cities continue year after year to develop programs to prevent and abate this unwanted impact to their communities. Increasing sums of tax dollars are invested in graffiti abatement.

The Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) held a Graffiti Summit in December 2007. The VCOG has yet to follow up on any of the roundtable recommendations established during this 2007 summit.

The Grand Jury recommends that the Cities aggressively pursue the recovery of their costs when individuals are convicted of graffiti vandalism.

The Grand Jury further recommends that the VCOG schedule a follow-up to the 2007 Graffiti Summit for the purpose of completing the roundtable recommendations previously established and to allow the Cities, and others, to share their current "best practices" toward fighting graffiti.

Finally, the Grand Jury recommends that the Cities follow Port Hueneme’s and Santa Paula’s example and amend their city codes regarding graffiti to include provisions for the city to petition the sentencing court for the delay or suspension of driving privileges for those convicted of graffiti vandalism.

Go to the Grand Jury website to review the entire report: http://grandjury.countyofventura.org