Romeoville: Clean Up Graffiti or Face Fines

After multiple reports of graffiti sprayed on signs and property throughout Romeoville, village officials are reminding residents to "Keep Romeoville Beautiful."

Five of the February graffiti reports are believed to be gang related, Romeoville Police Cmdr. John Ferdinardo said. Those incidents involved spray-painting on street signs, he said. Other reported incidents "were just nonsense," he said. "They painted the faces (of statues) black," he said, referring to a Feb. 5 incident on Arlington Drive. Police don't have any leads in the gang-related incidents, according to Ferdinardo.

The village on Tuesday sent a message reminding residents of its policies with regard to graffiti. According to the rules, homeowners are responsible for removing any graffiti on their property within three days after it is reported -- or face a fine.

"If the graffiti is not removed by the owner of the property, and the Village is notified of its existence, the Village will remove the graffiti and the owner may be subject to a fine of not less than $75 nor more than $750," according to the message.

The rules also state that if graffiti is placed on an "accessory" like detached garage or structure other than the home, the owner must remove it within 24 hours after it's reported.

Read the village's full graffiti ordinance here.

Residents are asked to report any incidents of graffiti to the Romeoville Police Department at (815) 886-7219.

Photo via Village of Romeoville