By Brittany Hanson/Garden Grove Journal
The hand that spray-paints graffiti may have to hand over a lot of money. At Tuesday’s Stanton city council meeting heavier penalties for such vandals were approved.
With much enthusiasm and hardly more than a moment’s consideration, the amendment to graffiti codes was updated unanimously.
The municipal code pertaining to graffiti was amended to allow Stanton to collect compensation damages to the fullest extent of California law. This means that in cases where a graffiti violator is caught, they can be required to pay fines in order to compensate for the damage they have done.
In cases where the violator is a minor, the parents can be required to pay up to $2,500 in fines. If the violator is an adult, they can personally be required to pay that sum and upwards, depending on the severity of the situation.
“So glad we’re really trying to do something,” said Mayor Ed Royce, Sr. “Seems as though they’ve given up in some areas of L.A.”
There was also approval from the city council for the redevelopment agency to issue bonds in order to refinance older bonds from 1993, resupply the general fund and also pay for a park that the city is planning over the next two years.
This bond for $27 million is a multi-purpose bond where, when issued by the redevelopment agency, it will be bought by the city council and then sold to an underwriter, E.J. De La Rosa & Co. and from there will be sold to investors.
“I’m very cautious about this thing, but I’m going to vote for it,” said Royce.
For the park planned for Stanton’s future, this is the first big step and a quick move from approval for the purchase of land for the park.
The park is slated for development at 10660 Western Ave. in Stanton, which is currently a golf driving range.
Additionally, there was the introduction of new deputies and a sergeant to Stanton’s police services, provided by the Orange County Sherriff’s Department.
Sgt. Keith Godfrey has a history of service in Stanton in the 1980’s and will be working in administration and investigations.
Godfrey will work closely with Lt. Jeff Pasalaqua, Stanton’s chief of police services, and will fill in for Pasalaqua in his absence.
Deputy Pete Angelici came to Stanton from the Theo Lacy Facility in Santa Ana and attended police academy with Pasalaqua.
Deputy Ryan Pierce comes to Stanton as a request on his part. Pierce is trained with the S.W.A.T. team.
“In case we have an incident here in Stanton, he has all his gear and is ready to go,” said Pasalqua.
