Graffiti Taskforce – For Parents

For Parents

Parents Have a Responsibility to Stop Graffiti Vandalism

Graffiti is an act of destructive vandalism! It hurts schools and neighborhoods both aesthetically and economically, decreases the feeling of safety, drains tax dollars, and sends the signal that nobody cares. In response, the City has launched a new, multifaceted campaign to stop graffiti. Our three-pronged approach will address prevention, intervention, and enforcement methods to discourage and eliminate graffiti vandalism – and we need your help! As parents, you are responsible for your child’s actions, so do your part in stopping graffiti!

ATTENTION PARENTS!

If a child is caught tagging, his or her parent may be responsible for paying the expensive fines for their child’s crime! Look for signs that your child may be involved in graffiti, and take action before they vandalize!

What Are Some of the Indications That Your Child May be a Graffiti Vandal?

• Graffiti on backpacks, books, clothing, notebooks, or furniture.

• Markings on teenager’s things resembling graffiti markings found in the community.

• Graffiti on backpacks, books, clothing, notebooks, or furniture.

• Markings on teenager’s things resembling graffiti markings found in the community.

• Possession of “graffiti implements,” for example spray paint, paint markers, shoe polish daubers, drill bits, sandpaper, grinding stones, brillo pads, rocks, lava rocks, permanent markers, stickers (slap tagging), rubber gloves, or acid.

• Has in their possession photographs/clippings/posters of graffiti.

• Has in their possession graffiti publications.

• Uses slang terms associated with graffiti.

• Use of hand signs.

• Sneaks out late at night.

• Visits Internet sites about graffiti.

• Has permanent marker stains or paint stains on clothing.

• Has friends who are graffiti vandals.

Graffiti vandals may be subjected to:

What Can You do if You Believe Your Child May be Involved in Graffiti Vandalism?

• Encourage open dialogue with your child about potential consequences of graffiti, like expensive fines, revocation of drivers license, community service, and jail time.

• Check your child’s backpack regularly, because possession of graffiti implements, like paint markers, may result in a fine of $1,000.

• Encourage after school activities, like a sport or club that will occupy their time. The City of Oxnard Recreation Department offers after school activities for all ages. Call 385-7995 for more info.

• Contact a school counselor, for ideas about how to communicate with your child.

• Sign up for The Parent Project, a program which empowers parents to deal with strong-willed and out-of-control children. Call Ventura County Youth Services at 973-5101 for more information.

• Call Crime Stoppers, 385-TALK (385-8255) Crime Stoppers will award up to $1,000 for anonymous tips which aid in the arrest of a graffiti vandal.

• Call 911 to report graffiti in progress.

Parent Flyer (English/Spanish)
[PDF – 688 KB]

If you would like more information about our educational publications, please call our hotline 805-385-8010 or email stopgraffiti@oxnard.org.

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For further information:
Graffiti Hotline

(805) 385-8010
stopgraffiti@oxnard.org

Last Updated: Jan 23 2014