The State Government has stepped up the war against graffiti vandalism with the launch of a new graffiti reporting hotline. Premier Alan Carpenter, Police Minister John Kobelke and Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Chris Dawson today launched the new 1800 44 22 55 (or 1800 GG CALL*) hotline which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The State Government has stepped up the war against graffiti vandalism with the launch of a new graffiti reporting hotline.
Premier Alan Carpenter, Police Minister John Kobelke and Deputy Commissioner ( Operations ) Chris Dawson today launched the new 1800 44 22 55 ( or 1800 GG CALL* ) hotline which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The hotline is operated through the WA Police Communications Centre in Midland.
Mr Carpenter said the war against graffiti could only be won with the help of the community, with the new hotline providing an easy, direct and confidential means to report graffiti crime.
He said the public was also encouraged to use the hotline to report graffiti crime in progress to improve the chances of the offenders being caught and brought to justice.
“I urge all Western Australians to report graffiti crime via the 1800 44 22 55 hotline,” the Premier said.
“1800 GG CALL will enable quicker response times to graffiti crime, resulting in faster clean-up and removal.
“Rewards of up to $1,000 are available to people providing information leading to the arrest of a graffiti offender.”
Mr Kobelke said the hotline was one of the key recommendations of the ‘Off the Wall - the State Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy 2007-10’ launched last month.
“Graffiti vandalism is a crime that affects everyone and it needs to be taken seriously,” Mr Kobelke said.
“A neighborhood defaced by graffiti appears run-down, neglected and even dangerous to many people. It can have a detrimental impact on property values and public morale.
“Western Australia has the nation’s toughest penalties for graffiti vandalism and we will continue to apply these penalties to people caught and convicted.”
The Government’s Graffiti strategy, designed to achieve ‘clean streets’ in WA’s cities and towns, also includes additional use of CCTVs in high-risk areas, local grants for anti-graffiti projects, extra resources for clean-up orders that ensure offenders are made to remove graffiti and school education programs.
Media contacts: Premier's office: 9222 9475 Minister's office: 9222 9211
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