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Community Relations Department
Report graffiti Graffiti may be considered art by some, but to property owners it vandalism. The Village of Oak Park imposes fines, regulates the sale of spray paint, fat markers and paint sticks, and limits where minors can legally possess these common tools of the tagging vandal. Property owners are required to clean off graffiti within seven days of being notified. Officials say graffiti in Oak Park generally is not gang related, and often is the work of middle schoolers and young teens. Tagging is considered unsightly by most, can be expensive to remove and, left unchecked, can affect the quality of life and desirability of entire neighborhoods. Fines for graffiti violations range from $250 for a first offense up to $1,000 for a third offense. Parents of minors who violate the ordinance can be held liable for the fines and restitution to the owner of the property where the tagging occurred. Community service, including parental participation, also may be part of the punishment for violations. Stores that sell what the Village calls graffiti implements are required to have related products in an area where a clerk can clearly observe them at all times, or in an area accessible only to staff, an approach intended to reduce the chances of theft by individuals who would not be allowed to purchase them. Retailers that violate the sale or display provision of the new local ordinance face fines of up to $1,000, as well as restitution to property owners and any court costs incurred in the prosecution up to $1,500. Graffiti may be reported by calling the graffiti hotline at 708.358.5429. Village staff removes graffiti from Village owned properties and contacts other public agencies to remove graffiti from other public properties. If the graffiti is on private property, staff will contact the owner and request removal. Community Relations can provide graffiti removal solution to property owners at no cost.
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