L.L. 2007/039

Enactment date: 8/2/2007

Int. No. 576-A

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Fidler, James, McMahon, Nelson, Recchia Jr., Sears, Weprin, White Jr., Gennaro, Jackson, Liu, Gallagher and Oddo

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the possession and sale of graffiti instruments.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Declaration of legislative findings and intent. The Council hereby declares that graffiti is a public nuisance that degrades the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities across the City. Graffiti creates an atmosphere of neglect, inviting criminal activity and contributing to a feeling of disorderliness and fear.

The Council finds that 18-, 19-, and 20-year olds are disproportionately responsible for graffiti crime. Accordingly, prohibiting the sale to, and restricting the possession of, graffiti tools to persons under the age of 21 will greatly assist the City's anti-graffiti efforts. Requiring that graffiti materials be contained in a manufacturer-sealed package or completely enclosed in a locked container, which shall include bags, backpacks, briefcases and other containers that can be closed and secured with a key or a combination lock, allows persons between the ages of 18-20 to transport such materials to or from places where they may legally be used such as their school or at work, while making it difficult for these items to be used on the property of another.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 6. This local law shall take effect 60 days after its enactment.