As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DIRECTOR — The Director of the Department of Public Works.
GRAFFITI —
A. Any inscription, work, symbol, figure, making or design, including but not limited to tags, throw-ups and pieces, that is marked, etched, scrawled, stained, drawn or painted stuck on or adhered to any surface on public or private property without the express permission of the owner or owner's agent of such property including, but not limited to, any wall, underpass, overpass, trestle, tree, sign, pole, playground apparatus, utility box, building, structure, fixture or other improvement whether permanent or temporary, regardless of the content or nature of the material that has been applied, and which is visible from any public property or the public right-of-way, or from any private property other than the property on which the graffiti exists.
B. Graffiti shall not be construed to apply to easily removable chalk markings on the public sidewalks and streets used in connection with traditional children's games.
GRAFFITI ABATEMENT COSTS AND EXPENSES — The costs and expenses of having the defaced property repaired or replaced when the City determines that removal of the graffiti would not be cost effective; and the law enforcement costs and expenses incurred in identifying and apprehending a responsible party; and the related administrative, overhead and incidental costs incurred in performing or causing the performance of the enforcement, abatement or collection procedures described in this Part and related court costs and attorneys fees.
GRAFFITI IMPLEMENT — Any implement capable of marking a surface to create graffiti, including, but not limited to, aerosol or pressurized paint containers, markers, gum labels, paint brushes or etching tools capable of scarring glass, metal, concrete or wood.
GUM LABELS — Any material such as, but not limited to, decals, stickers, posters or labels which contain a substance commonly known as adhesive or glue, which cannot be removed from the surface in an intact condition and with minimal efforts.
MARKER — Any indelible or permanent marker or similar implement with a point, brush, applicator or other writing surface which at its broadest width is 3/8 of an inch or greater and contains ink that is not water soluble.
MINOR — Any person under the age of 18 years.
PAINT STICK or GRAFFITI STICK — Any device containing a solid form of paint, chalk, wax, epoxy, or other similar substances capable of being applied to a surface by pressure and, upon application, leaving a visible mark and that is not water soluble.
PERSON — Every natural person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or institution.
PIECES — Forms of graffiti represented by detailed, multicolored murals, ranging in size.
PRIVATE PROPERTY — Any land and the improvements thereon owned by any person and includes front, side and rear yards, vacant lots, buildings and other structural improvements, walkways and alleyways and parking areas designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential, industrial or commercial purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, including any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or structure.
PUBLIC OFFICER — Any police officer or any public official authorized to enforce laws of the City of Reading as set forth in the Code of the City.
TAGS — A form of graffiti represented by stylized signatures of a writer's chosen name.
THROW-UPS — A form of graffiti represented by large names or figures written in a bubble style, often with an outline written in a different color than the interior of the letters.