(Image: CHS)
Seattle is doubling down on illegal graffiti, adding possible $1,000 fines for tagging in the city.
The Seattle City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday to approve legislation allowing the Seattle City Attorney to bring “civil actions against prolific taggers,” “with the potential to receive some restitution and for graffiti-related property destruction.” Convicted taggers would also remain subject to criminal penalties. Only citywide councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck voted against the bill.
“Council’s vote today sends a clear message: Seattle’s tolerance for illegal graffiti has expired. Stop vandalizing our city or we will hold you accountable,” City Attorney Ann Davison said in a statement on the approval. “There are many prolific illegal taggers and once the ordinance becomes effective, I will be filing lawsuits. Since the fines are imposed for each violation, it should serve as a big wake-up call to those who deface Seattle.”
CHS reported here on the proposal from Davison and public safety committee chair Bob Kettle that will allow Davison’s office to pursue civil penalties against vandals, taggers, and graffiti artists. Officials say they plan to use social media to gather evidence to pursue the cases.
According to officials, the city spends $6 million a year “cleaning up graffiti.” Across some 28,816 instances of “reported vandalism” in 2024, only 35 were referred for misdemeanor prosecution.
Under the legislation, the city says it will be able to pursue civil cases against documented vandals — especially those who “post their work on Instagram and other social media sites.” The City Attorney’s Office says it would prioritize “bringing actions against the most prolific illegal graffiti taggers and crews – individuals responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in property destruction.”
Taggers could also be pursued “for restitution of labor and material costs incurred to remove illegal graffiti.”
“Graffiti taggers would not be subject to these provisions if the tagger obtained the express permission of a private property owner prior to applying the graffiti,” the city says.
Any monetary damages and restitution could be “converted to community service doing graffiti abatement work.”
(Image: @councilmember-amr.bsky.social)
The proposal comes as Mayor Bruce Harrell’s crackdown on graffiti has continued as an issue that was important to the longtime city official even in his days on the city council. Last year, the county touted its pursuit of multiple felony cases against some of the area’s most prolific taggers.
On Capitol Hill, Seattle’s war on graffiti has caused some unintended damage including the accidental cover-up of a popular merchant mural along E Olive Way. CHS reported here on the effort to restore the King of the Hill mural.
Meanwhile, in Cal Anderson, the covering of the popular Hot Rat Summer mosaic on the park’s landmark Gatehouse structure is also going to be remedied. Councilmembers Rinck and Joy Hollingsworth will be at the park Wednesday for an event to restore the artwork.
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