Dob In A Graffiti Vandal In Operation Come Clean

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

Dob in a Graffiti Vandal in 'Operation Come Clean'

Sutherland Shire residents are being encouraged to dob in a graffiti vandal as part of a joint targeted crackdown on graffiti by the NSW Police Force and Sutherland Shire Council.

'Operation Come Clean' will run on 1-2 May, coinciding with the NSW State Government's Graffiti Action Day on Sunday 2 May and the public is invited to report information which may help police identify and charge graffiti vandals operating in the Sutherland Shire.

It is the first operation of its kind seeking the public's assistance to identify graffiti vandals and works in the same way as 'Operation Noah' the police's drug operation.

Calls will be taken through Crimestoppers by telephone and online and reliable information will be followed up by Miranda and Sutherland Local Area Police Commands.

"The community has no tolerance for the continued destruction of property with graffiti and in response to that the police and council have developed 'Operation Come Clean'," said Sutherland Shire Mayor Councillor Lorraine Kelly.

"Council and the police will be offering cash rewards for information leading to criminal proceedings against anyone responsible for damaging council property," said Mayor Kelly.

"This is believed to be the first operation of its type and we need the public to be our eyes and ears to help find those responsible for graffiti. Stamping out this scourge is something the police, and council, cannot do alone. Quality information from the public is at the heart of the success of this operation," Clr Kelly said.

"Graffiti costs this State $100 million a year and our council alone spends more than $250,000 a year to clean up. We are sick of wasting money that could be better spent on necessary services like roads, footpaths, drainage and parks," she said.

"I am so impressed with the level of commitment shown by our community and police in Sutherland and Miranda Local Area Commands to join in an all-of-community approach to fighting crime.

"I truly believe this approach of forming partnerships between police, council, community organisations and members of the public is the most effective way toward reducing anti-social behaviour.

"'Operation Come Clean', and the Shire's recent 'Get a Grip' program to make graffiti offenders clean up after themselves continues the work this council is doing with our local police and it is all a part of an ongoing campaign to help stamp out anti-social behaviour in our Shire," she said.

Anyone with information relating to graffiti offenders can report it 24 hours a day by telephoning 1800 333 000 or by going to www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

People calling are requested to state that you are calling as part of 'Operation Come Clean'. Information may be given anonymously but if you wish to be eligible for rewards you will need to state your name and contact details.

The Mayor said Council is offering rewards of up to $5000 and Crimestoppers offer up to $1000 for information that helps lead to the culprits of graffiti in the Sutherland Shire but was not intended as a forum to simply report instances of graffiti.

Those wishing to report instances of graffiti on council property in the Sutherland Shire can telephone 9710 0333.

Media Contacts

Andrew Herring, Communications Manager (02) 9710 0493 or 0410 456 676
Karen Frith, Senior Media Officer (02) 9710 0344 or 0414 193 843
Kylie Ferris, Senior Media Officer (02) 9710 0344 or 0414 193 846


SOURCE: Sutherland Shire Council