Jackson Street graffiti vandals strike again
By Chrys Ayley
A new spate of graffiti vandalism looks set to cost Jackson Street retailers up to $250,000 as they count the cost of replacing etched windows. Jackson Street programme manager Robert Hutton said the latest round of graffiti attacks, the fourth since October, took place over the weekend of February 14/15. ?I have some very riled retailers on the street and I don?t blame them.? The vandals scratch, or etch, shop windows with a variety of implements like screw drivers, crockery, or anything with a sharp point. It is far more destructive than spray painting and cannot be removed, Mr Hutton said. The number of damaged windows totals 139 and only six have been replaced, Mr Hutton said. Spray paint graffiti can be addressed by painting over it but ?Etching is costly and can?t easily be repaired.? This kind of vandalism is very hard on a community like Petone, he said. ?I?d like to remind these people that retailer?s work very hard, they are not millionaires.? Until a new community constable starts work in early March Mr Hutton has requested an increased police presence. ?The police are doing what they can and it is helpful as a semi-deterrent but unless they are caught in the act there?s not a lot that can be done.? ?At the end of the day they can?t patrol the whole of the Hutt Valley.? Owner of Petone Take Note and Lotto Shop Perry Rama had a large window etched about five weeks ago. He heard one person had been caught but then the vandalism started again, he said. Mr Rama rents his premises and said the damage is covered by the landlord, but he estimated the cost of replacement would be between $2,500 and $3,500. ?What benefits or buzz are they getting out of it?? Picture: Jackson Street programme manager Robert Hutton shows the damage caused to Petone Take Note and Lotto Shop.
