A new battle against Graffiti

Graffiti is a problem in East Meadow, and is something way out of character with the picturesque homes in this suburban community.

“We have seen an increase,” said Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes. “No question about that.” Hudes was one of the people who prompted the creation of a Nassau County graffiti task force 15 year ago.

It’s a recurring problem, Hudes said. When the task force began its work, Nassau County was littered with graffiti, with 90 percent of the parkway signs defaced. Now, he said, the task force needs to be resurrected.

“I think it’s horrible!” Sabrina Camilo said on an East Meadow Herald Facebook post.

“There is a fence line on Merrick Avenue that I want to take a spray gun to,” added Becky Gillman Goldberg. “Seriously, what covers graffiti?”

“Box it out,” said Hudes. He recommended immediately marking off the area and painting the fence or wall to remove the “tag,” which is what graffiti “artists” call their work. “You cannot get tired of removing it,” he said.

According to a Hempstead town law, it is the responsibility of home and business owners to remove graffiti. If the town removes it, the property owner can be billed for the expense.

While Hudes agreed that this could be seen as punishing the victim, he compares the circumstance to a car’s broken taillight. Even if someone else breaks it, the car’s owner is issued a ticket because it’s a safety issue. Similarly, graffiti is a community issue, he said.

Graffiti appears to multiply, and there are a number of locations that are continually targeted, including the brick wall behind Marshalls on Front Street.

Officials say that the way to combat the problem is to report it. The Verizon boxes are also popular targets, but County Legislator Norma Gonsalves said, “If they’re reported, they will clean them up.”

The best advice is a familiar post-9/11 refrain: If you see something say something, said Gonsalves. “No one is going to go around looking for graffiti,” she added, but it will be cleaned up if the community reacts.

Affected residents have started complaining. “I called Home Depot on Hempstead Turnpike last month to get rid of the graffiti on the big white fence on Front Street,” said Jeanne Shea Herring. “They were nice enough to replace it.”

“I have to admit I am also concerned about things in East Meadow going downhill,” added Victoria Riess. “I would be interested in any group that had a mind to make some much-needed improvements.”

Herring, who attends a Council of East Meadow Community Organizations meeting every third Wednesday at the East Meadow Library, said that a crime report is presented at every meeting. “It’s also a place to talk about the problems of the town,” she said.

“This community will not accept this antisocial behavior,” said Hudes.

Officials ask that anyone who sees graffiti in East Meadow call (516) 812-3286.

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