Graffiti spree hits shops
TRADERS have been left reeling after northern suburb stores were hit by vandals during a graffiti spree at the weekend.
North Geelong trader Ben Connoley said the popular shopping strip in Melbourne Rd had been plagued by bouts of vandalism over the past six months.
The Men’s Hair Design owner said the unsightly graffiti was frustrating for all traders.
“It just looks terrible,” Mr Connoley said.
“It’s all tags – it has zero artistic credibility.”
Mr Connoley said the local supermarket was one of the hardest hit stores, with many traders unsure how to stop the graffiti or whether they should be removing the vandalism.
It is understood properties in North Geelong, Drumcondra and Rippleside were affec- ted during spree.
Senior Sergeant Joanne Jane from Geelong police said the youth tasking division was investigating the reports of vandalism.
Sen-Sgt Jane has called on anyone with information to contact police.
City of Greater Geelong’s director of city services, Guy Wilson-Browne, said graffiti removal kits were available through all the council’s the vandalism customer service centres.
“Depending on available budget, the city removes graffiti from private property if it is at ground level and where the surface is unpainted nonporous brick, wood paling fences or untreated metal,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.
“We work with the Department of Justice and Regulation to deliver graffiti initiatives as part of their graffiti grant program.”
He said the council was cur- rently working on a number of initiatives, including a new paint voucher option for private property owners and an education program for business owners.
“We aim to roll out these initiatives in 2019,” Mr WilsonBrowne said.
Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in North Geelong, Drumcondra and Rippleside on Saturday night is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.