Glen Cove Cracks Down on Graffiti Crimes

Glen Cove Police announced Thursday they will be cracking down on graffiti crimes in the area following a recent increase of graffiti-related arrests.

Police reported the following incidents:

• Four Glen Cove juveniles were arrested after they were seen spray painting the wall on Crescent Beach Road on Wednesday.
• School officials informed police that an unknown person or persons spray painted the wood fence behind the middle school football field with graffiti on Friday, July 17.
• Three Roslyn Heights residents and an Albertson resident were arrested for spray painting the beach wall at the Welwyn Preserve on Monday, June 29. (Photo 1)
• Police reported recent graffiti on Woolsey Avenue that displays the letter “A” with a circle and slash through it, which is known as the symbol for Anarchy. (Photo 2)

“Those who think it’s ok to damage someone else’s property should think twice,” Glen Cove Detective Lieutenant John Nagle said.

Nagle believes youths from outside Glen Cove are communicating with local youths over the internet to find good locations for graffiti. “That would explain why we are getting out of town graffiti artists defacing the property at the Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove,” he said.

Mayor Reggie Spinello said he supports GCPD’s new “no tolerance” policy for graffiti vandalism.

“The individuals responsible for these crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and be held financially accountable for damages caused by their illegal activities,” he said.

Graffiti is classified as a class “A” misdemeanor, which could lead to one year behind bars.

Those arrested for graffiti will also be charged with criminal mischief for intentionally damaging the property of another and possession of graffiti instruments.

The courts often order defendants to reimburse the injured party for damage they inflicted on the property. Charges can increase to a third degree criminal mischief charge if the cost to repair the damage is more than $250. This escalated charge could lead to a four-year prison sentence.

Graffiti is defined as the etching, painting, covering, drawing upon or otherwise placing of a mark upon public or private property with the intent to damage such property, according to Nagle.

GCPD urges anyone who sees graffiti taking place to immediately report a description of the location and the vandals to Glen Cove Police.

For more information, contact Lieutenant Nagle at 676-1002, or leave an anonymous tip on tips@cityofglencoveny.org.

Images via GCPD