Here’s a news item from the AP: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho police say the growing menace of graffiti merits felony punishment. They’re pushing a bill to create stiff fines of up to $5,000 and 5 years in prison for recalcitrant taggers whose art work can cause thousands in damage to private buildings, freeway overpasses, even traffic signs. Rep. Carlos Bilbao, a Republican from Emmett, said after an initial hearing Monday in the House Judiciary and Rules Committee that a misdemeanor graffiti law enacted in 1987 is no longer enough to keep spray paint-wielding outlaws bent on winning recognition in the shadowy world of underground artists in check. Police say a youngster who vandalizes property with a single can of paint would likely still face misdemeanor charges. But repeat offenders — and those who cause more than $1,000 in damage — could face the stiffer penalties called for by Bilbao’s measure.
Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
Named best state-based political blog in Idaho for 2013 by The Fix
999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201
P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210
Main switchboard: (509) 459-5000 • (800) 338-8801
Newsroom: (509) 459-5400 • (800) 789-0029
Customer service: (800) 338-8801
© Copyright 2013, The Spokesman-Review
Terms of use • Privacy policy • Copyright policy
Spokane7
48°
Get blog updates by email
Please keep it civil. Don't post comments that are obscene, defamatory, threatening, off-topic, an infringement of copyright or an invasion of privacy. Read our forum standards and community guidelines.
You must be logged in to post comments. Please log in here or click the comment box below for options.
comments powered by Disqus« Back to Eye On Boise