Bloomington makes effort to stop vandalism

Whether you consider it urban art or vandalism, Bloomington is affected by graffiti.

But preventive measures are being taken and along with community awareness, graffiti is being targeted.

The B-Line Trail is one area that is a haven to graffiti.

“Graffiti has been in town for a very long time and has always been an issue,” said Beverly Calender-Anderson, Bloomington Safe and Civil City director.

Vandalism is also not indigenous to the B-Line Trail but to overpasses and electrical boxes as well.

Bloomington Police Department Captain Joe Qualters said the department recommends business and apartment owners to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible.  

But he said this might not always be the best option.

“There are two schools of thought on the issue,” Qualters said. “The first being it would just make a clean canvas, which would give the individual an ‘I’ll show him’ attitude. The second would prevent them the opportunity to display their work.”  

The problem with leaving the spray paint on a particular surface introduces the “broken window theory,” Qualters said. The theory assumes that the more a surface is defaced, the more people will add to it, simply because of a lack of concern.

Measures are currently being taken to help counter the graffiti dilemma.

“We are working with a task force that the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has ... a group of business owners that are trying to address the issue from their perspectives,” Calender-Anderson said.

Increased foot patrols have also have been implemented in the downtown area to form a police presence.

But no one has been caught in the act yet.

“We don’t have anyone that is causing the current problems at this point that I am aware of,” said Bob Miller, Monroe County chief deputy prosecuting attorney.

If someone is caught vandalizing, the consequences vary depending on the situation.
“If the act of graffiti involves the use of paint, then it is automatically a Class A
misdemeanor,” Miller said.

But as the amount of damage caused rises, so do the punishments.
“If graffiti damages are more than $2,500, it becomes a Class  D Felony, the lowest felony offense in the state of Indiana,” Qualters said.

Each charge has different penalties, though.

“The range of penalties for a Class A misdemeanor range from zero days to one year in jail,” Miller said. “There is also a fine that can be assessed and restitution for the damage caused. For a Class D felony, range for a possible jail sentence is from six months to three years depending on the defendant’s circumstances.”

The vandalism on the trail has led the city to realize the problem goes beyond public areas, but this shouldn’t discourage residents.

“We are encouraging people to use the B-line downtown, and when we see it defaced in the way that it has been that becomes upsetting,” Calender-Anderson said. “We are concerned about all graffiti not just on the B-Line Trail but also on commercial property and private residential property.”