Long-time Hobart Alderman and anti graffiti campaigner Marti Zucco will be presenting a notice of motion to the Infrastructure Committee today at 5pm on a new approach to combat graffiti vandalism through mobile technology.

Ald Zucco said that he is seeking Council to support his initiative for a report for a “Text a tag” and Text a tagger “program.

Alderman Zucco also said that he has now sourced an APP that has been developed by a not for profit organization and has loaded the APP to his mobile phone and already reported a graffiti incident using this technology.

Alderman Zucco pointed out that as most people have mobile phones, my initiative is for the general public to take a photo of a tag and text it to a designated council controlled number with an address of where the tag has occurred or if they see a person coming the vandalism to take a photo of that person and also text it to the designated number.

This APP delivers the outcomes that I was seeking but also allows the photo to be tracked on report the outcome back to the person who has reported the incident. As previously stated I was seeking that the information collected could also assist Tasmania Police to collect information on specific Taggers’ and the areas that these tags appear. This APP delivers this as part of the program.

As previously stated “The APP could work simply by taking a photo and with location service assist in where the Tag is and direct the photo to the nearest “Local Authority” within that location without the need to know the details of the local authority number. This information can be then used as a data base and or evidence against offenders”

Alderman Zucco also said that legislation needed to reflect that this type of vandalism was unacceptable and those responsible would be dealt with accordingly

Ald Zucco said some of the worst graffiti vandalism is ‘tags’ that were randomly scrolled on to private and public property. He said unapproved ‘graffiti art’ was being painted on private or public property using products that could not be hosed or washed off by natural rain.

“It is time for graffiti vandalism to be treated seriously. Vandalism is a criminal offence and as a criminal offence, it should not be treated lightly or have a ‘slap on the wrist’ approach.

“However graffiti vandals are creating the problems. We need to send a clear message that their actions will not be tolerated.

Ald Zucco said he fully supported organised approved graffiti art.

“I am seeking Council support for the HCC to work with the Tasmanian Government to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to combat the problem.”

This is an opportunity for Local and State Government to work cohesively and deal with the issue and if all Local & State Government agencies work together and be part of the program the community can be the “eyes to snap a pic and text” to go a long way towards irradiating this vandalism.

I will be presented details of this APP to Committee today at 5pm and seek Council support to be part of this program at a mere cost of 6k per annum.
Hobart Alderman and anti graffiti campaigner Marti Zucco