OLYMPIA, Wash. — New tactics to fight taggers are in the works for state lawmakers to consider when the Washington state Legislature begins its session next month.
Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, has pre-filed legislation that allows for technology and other tools to be part of the solution to stop taggers.
HB 1989 would direct the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to evaluate various anti-graffiti products that can be used to coat the surfaces of roadway infrastructures to prevent spray paint from adhering or make it easier to remove.
“There are many products that can be applied to the infrastructure that will not allow the adherence of paint and other products onto those walls,” Barkis said.
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The bill would also allow law enforcement to utilize WSDOT’s network of traffic cameras to help identify and arrest people who put up tags along the roadways.
“If there’s an area that has been tagged profusely, law enforcement could gather that data in the camera, and they see the people, they can identify them, arrest those subjects, and then use the current laws on the books to be able to prosecute,” Barkis said.
Lastly, the legislation would direct WSDOT to better coordinate with other government agencies to pursue legal actions against people who put up graffiti.
“It became apparent that we’re just not enforcing the law, and people are getting away with doing this with no consequences,” Barkis said. “We have to start putting accountability on crime.”
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WSDOT estimates its maintenance teams spent $1.4 million on graffiti removal over the past two years only to see taggers return and mark up the same areas once they’ve been cleaned.
The bill must now be assigned to a legislative committee to be considered during the 2024 legislative session.