Source: https://ecode360.com/12162742
Timestamp: 2019-08-18 06:52:58
Document Index: 616380125

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97', '§ 97']

Township of Haverford, PA Graffiti
§ 97-3 Graffiti prohibited.
§ 97-4 Possession of graffiti implements.
§ 97-5 Prohibited acts.
§ 97-6 Sale of graffiti implements.
§ 97-7 Removal of graffiti.
§ 97-8 Liability of parents or guardians.
§ 97-9 Enforcement.
§ 97-10 Violations and penalties.
Chapter 97 Graffiti
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Haverford 6-10-2013 by Ord. No. 2695.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 97, Graffiti, adopted 4-23-1986 by Ord. No. 1954.
The use of broad-tipped pens, paint spray cans, pencils, pens, crayons or other marking devices to write graffiti, verbal or otherwise, on the walls or other available spaces on public or private buildings, vehicles, areas or facilities causes serious defacement of such buildings, vehicles and areas, public and private, and contributes to the deterioration of property values, as well as offending the public's right, public and private, not to have unsightly and unlawful graffiti on, with defacement of, public and private property, and it constitutes a deleterious practice contrary to the public health and welfare. In addition, such contempt for the property rights of private citizens as well as public facilities contributes to the erosion of law and order and contributes to the deterioration in the quality of life of the community and must be opposed and punished.
Any structure used for commercial, business or residential purposes and any structure appurtenant to said use, such as garages, fences, retaining walls, facades or any other structure, located within the Township of Haverford.
Any mark, figure, drawing, inscription or other notation, drawn, written, etched, painted or otherwise placed on any surface, building or property, inclusive of the use of stickers or paste-on stamps containing the marks defined herein, without the permission of the owner or occupant thereof.
Any aerosol spray paint matter or broad-tipped marker with a marking surface of 1/4 inch or more in any direction or any other substance or item used to make graffiti and/or related vandalism.
Any fee owner or other person exercising a legal possessive right and/or legal control over property.
Includes any human being, corporation, partnership, authority, company, municipality, unincorporated association, or any other entity able to sue or be sued.
No person shall carry an aerosol spray paint can, broad-tipped indelible marker or any other graffiti implement under circumstances which evidence the intent to violate the provisions of this chapter.
It is unlawful for a person to use any object, bicycle or vehicle to assist a person to commit a violation of this chapter.
No person shall write, print, spray or place with ink, paint, chalk or any other substance or substances or otherwise mark, scratch, carve or etch graffiti on the real or personal property of another, whether said real or personal property is publicly or privately owned, unless the owner of said property shall have, prior to such writing, painting or placing of graffiti, specifically consented to the same.
No person shall sell, offer to sell or give aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped markers or any other graffiti implements to any person under the age of 18 years of age unless accompanied by an adult parent or guardian.
No person offering aerosol spray paint and/or broad-tipped markers or other graffiti implements for sale shall display said materials except in a secure, enclosed, inaccessible display which will require the seller's assistance for the handling, purchase and/or sale of said items.
The owner, tenant and/or person in control of any building or personal property shall be required to remove any graffiti applied to such property not more than 15 days after such graffiti occurs. Failure to remove graffiti shall be a violation of this chapter.
In the event that the owner, tenant and/or person in control of such a building, property or personal property shall fail or refuse to remove graffiti from his property, then said person or persons may be notified by certified mail, mailed to the property address, by the Director of the Township of Haverford Department of Codes Enforcement, or his or her designated agent, that such person shall have a period of up to 15 days from receipt of such notice to complete removal or coverage of such graffiti.
If such owner, tenant and/or person in control of such a building, property or personal property fails to comply with the terms of such notice within the time set forth therein, then the Township of Haverford may cause the elimination or coverage of such graffiti on such property. All costs of the work shall be billed to the owner of the property and, if unpaid after 90 days, shall be forwarded to the Township of Haverford Solicitor for the collection of the unpaid costs with interest from the time of completion of the work needed to eliminate or cover the graffiti. Such collection action may be by a lien against the property, filed and collected in the same manner as a municipal claim.
The parent or legal guardian, other than the state or a local social services department, or a foster parent having custody of a person over 10 and less than 18 years of age shall, if such person willfully, maliciously or unlawfully makes graffiti or damages or destroys real or personal property, which personal property is owned or maintained by another, in addition to any other civil remedy a person who has suffered damage may have, be held liable for such damage or destruction.
Except as otherwise specified in § 97-7B above, it shall be the duty of any police officer of the Township of Haverford to enforce the provisions of this chapter against any person found to be violating the same.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon summary conviction before any District Justice, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and costs of prosecution; and in default of one payment of the fine and costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term of not more than 90 days. Each and every day in which any person, firm or corporation shall be in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.