Call for taggers to face their crime

Youth worker Dave Robertson says taggers must be forced to face their victims.

Mr Robertson has been a Child Youth and Family caregiver for almost five years and has a long history working with troubled youngsters.

The Glen Eden resident says he has the experience to help stamp out graffiti.

But he opposes moves by mayor Bob Harvey to punish parents.

Mr Harvey wants the maximum fine for taggers raised to $5000 and says parents or caregivers should be held to account if the culprits are under 18 and can’t pay.

"This will be a strong signal to send to the community that a family must work to change the behaviour of their kids," he says.

The idea is part of a submission being considered by government officials drafting new legislation to crack down on the graffiti.

Mr Robertson says it won’t work.

"Most of these kids come from lower socio-economic families so their parents can’t afford to pay," he says.

He says many people have no idea what the youths are up to.

"You can’t blame the parents, or the caregivers," he says.

"A lot of kids don’t tell their parents about a lot of things they do.

"Hitting me with a $5000 fine because one of the children I’m looking after tags isn’t fair."

Mr Robertson grew up in Glen Innes, left home at 14 and lived on the streets.

"I was pretty out of control," he says.

"It’s really why I think I can understand where the kids are coming from.

"It’s given me an insight into a lot of things and led to me working with youth."

Mr Robertson says tagging is an issue that isn’t going to go away anytime soon.

He believes offenders should be made to meet their victims in the same family group conference situation often used effectively by Child Youth and Family.

He says they need to face the consequences of their actions.

Mr Robertson has dealt with taggers before and used his contacts to find the youth who defaced the Glen Eden library in 2006.

He says offenders should also be made to clean up graffiti and must be made to appear in court the next day.

Mr Harvey agrees and wants a Youth Reparation Court set up to deal with culprits within 48 hours of them being caught.

The court would be presided over by Justices of the Peace who would be able to impose instant fines and community service hours spent painting out graffiti.