Police Stick to New Redfern Graffiti Plan

Speaking at the Marton Tower in Waterloo, Mr Brown said the initiative would crack down on illegal graffiti, with police photographing graffiti and pasting stickers nearby informing offenders their vandalism was being investigated.

"This is a joint initiative between police and Housing NSW to break the cycle of graffiti," Mr Brown said.

"Haw this works is if someone graffitis property a sticker will be placed next to that graffiti and a photo will be taken, that photo will be forwarded to the local police. "With that intelligence the police are better able to work out who is defacing public property."

Waterloo precinct resident spokesman Ross Smith said the tackling graffiti was first suggested in an action plan compiled for the area last September.

Mr Smith said NSW Housing had a track record for not following through with initiatives in the past and residents remained sceptical about the minister's announcement.

"This graffiti rapid response was something we were told would be happening last year, this is months later," said Mr Smith.

"The Department of housing sent carpet cleaning machines in to this building at five to nine this morning - just before the Minister arrived to make the media announcement. That carpet has not been cleaned in years, even though it's supposed to be cleaned under contract every six months.

"All the window dressing has been done - so I have to question where their priorities lay."

Picture: Phil Rogers - Housing Minister Matt Brown announces a new pilot program to crack down on graffiti in Waterloo around public housing estates.

Source: Central of 19 March 2008