MOOSE JAW — More graffiti tags appear to have popped up around the community in the past few months, which has prompted police to dig further into the situation and record what they find.
Graffiti vandalism does seem to go in cycles, while the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) regularly tracks it by visiting tagged sites — especially when building owners call — and cataloguing the images, Acting Chief Rick Johns said after the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting.
Furthermore, officers will attempt to identify if the tags are linked or share commonalities, considering taggers usually leave their mark or a signature on certain pieces, he continued.
The police service has worked with students from Project 104 High School Arts Collective Graffiti Team on projects in the past, where youths create artworks that are installed in high graffiti areas, the acting chief pointed out. Those were great projects (here and here) and the agency would love to see more such initiatives.
Johns noted that there appears to be “a code of ethics between taggers” where they usually don’t paint over others’ artwork, which means Project 104’s work proved “to be a really good deterrent.” So, he thought this topic might be a good opportunity to revisit working with the youths.
Meanwhile, the police service helps clean up tagged sites by working with the victim — whether it is business owners, residents or the city — and finding ways to keep the community “looking safe and beautiful,” added Johns. However, it’s always an ongoing process.
The acting chief said he didn’t know if officers had any leads about who was tagging sites around the community. However, members were working on this issue and cataloguing what they found, while the agency was also looking for tips from residents.
“So if any public knows of anybody that’s tagging public buildings or private buildings, (they should) call Crime Stoppers (because) it’s completely anonymous and we will follow up on those tips,” Johns continued, adding that “many sets of eyes” can help officers with their investigations.
People can contact Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through an anonymous online reporting option available at SaskCrimeStoppers.com.
Mayor James Murdock, the police board chairman, said graffiti is more noticeable now that summer has arrived, as warmer weather and longer days make it easier for vandals to tag infrastructure.
“I know that it’s something the city wants to see improvements on. And we’re actively talking about a few different options,” he continued. “And hopefully over the next little bit here, we’ll be able to elaborate more on that.”
Murdock added that city hall will continue to monitor the level of graffiti in the community in partnership with the Moose Jaw Police Service, residents and businesses.
The next police board meeting is Wednesday, July 16.
