A NEW mobile camera initiative is being rolled out across the Southside an effort to tackle the scourge of graffiti.
South Dublin County Council has approved a motion by Cllr Paul Foley (FF) that will see CCTV used in an effort to curb the problem after a spate of graffiti incidents.
According to Cllr Foley, South Dublin County Council received almost 400 complaints about graffiti last year.
“Most of it has been removed, at significant cost to the council, but it often reappears shortly after the clean-up operation,
? Cllr Foley said.
“It is important to portray our community in the best possible light. While some might not consider a single incident of graffiti as that serious, its initial appearance in a location often attracts more graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
“I have been liaising with residents and businesses in the area to come up with a workable plan to tackle the problem.
“We have identified graffiti blackspots and intend to roll out the cameras in these areas, before extending them to other locations.
“It’s hoped the initiative will not only deter people from defacing public and private property, but also assist in catching those responsible.
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Cllr Foley added:
“South Dublin County Council will also work with school children in the area, through the Green Schools Programme, to make them aware of the impact of graffiti on the local community.
“I am also urging members of the public to be more vigilant of graffiti attacks and to report any instances to their local councillors.
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A South Dublin County Council spokesperson said they were
“very conscious of the prevailing problem associated with graffiti
? and that it remained a priority for them to address the issue.
“It is acknowledged that the number of complaints received in 2014 was high and can be attributed in some form to the escalation of activity by certain individuals,
? the spokesperson stated.
“The council has a programme of works in place to clean graffiti on public property using staff resources, as well as the resources of the Probation Service’s community service programme, which are available to the council for this type of work.
“Owners of private property that has been affected by graffiti are responsible and should remove the graffiti, as required by the Litter Pollution Act 1997.
“The council also has in place a Memorandum of Understanding with the ESB regarding graffiti on ESB utilities. Under these terms the ESB will remove graffiti from their utilities within a specified timeframe when requested by the council to do so. It is an objective that further similar understandings are developed with other utility providers and public bodies.
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The spokesperson added:
“Experience has shown that it is very difficult to identify perpetrators. Surveillance cameras are used, however, persons involved in this type of activity usually arrive on foot and are generally unidentifiable.
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“Litter and waste are a key theme of the Green Schools programme and graffiti and its consequence will be included in presentations to schools.
“The council is currently reviewing the Litter Management Plan and it is intended that there will be a particular focus on improvement of the aesthetics of the county through a targeted approach to the problem.
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