Fix Graffiti Problem Before Spending on Public Art and Signs

Graffiti is a blight on Newmarket that is costing taxpayers tens of thousands each year to clean up.  Not one mail box, hydro pole or private fence has been spared the spay painted tags.  Even the asphalt on the trails has been defaced. 

In a town that outlawed pesticides prior to the Province of Ontario enacting the similar legislation, I wonder why nobody on Council had the idea of restricting the sale of spray paint.  At the very least, they could require retailers to collect a graffiti clean up levy of a $2 on each can of paint sold in Newmarket stores. 

Or how about setting up a program where local retailers agree not to sell spray paint without recording the ID of the purchaser.  Such a move would make a would-be tagger think twice before buying paint. 

The reason we need to get tougher with the taggers is because the Town of Newmarket is about to spend $300,000 on welcome signs and maybe more on public art.  How long will it take for some one to deface these expensive items if we don't crack down on graffiti?

Before any money is allocated to these beautification projects, I would like to know what Council and York Regional Police intend to do about public graffiti.  Otherwise, we are just wasting public money.