Graffiti and Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy

Adopted - 19 May 2022.

Graffiti and Vandalism is of ongoing concern for our community because of its continuing visibility, detrimental impact on the local streetscape, and high cost of removal. Council recognises the value of programs that focus on the prevention of vandalism before it occurs as being complementary to those aimed at removing it once it has been applied.

The intended outcomes of the policy are to:

• Encourage the community to take action to report information about graffiti offenders or vandals to the NSW Police Force.
• Deter offending by increasing the risk of detection and apprehension.
• Remove excuse-making opportunities through educating people involved in the intentional or reckless damage of property (by committing incidents of vandalism or graffiti) that these acts are crimes.
• Promote a coordinated approach to addressing local vandalism and graffiti issues between state government, represented by the NSW Police Force, local government, represented by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, and the community.