KEY POINTS:
A fed-up Rotorua shopowner has called for vigilante action in response to repeated tagging.
Raj Kumar, superette owner, says the extent of tagging at the weekend tipped his tolerance levels over the edge. He wants immediate action to stop the normally respected area from becoming known as a hangout for young gangsters.
His calls come as the Rotorua District Council holds further discussions about what more should be done to punish young taggers.
Letterboxes, trees, fences sign posts, and a transformer were all targeted at the weekend.
Mr Kumar said Springfield needed to set up an action group, similar to the Western Knights Community Patrols, where teams of volunteers patrol on Friday and Saturday nights.
He also wants a Neighbourhood Support group set up in the area and is asking anyone keen to come on board to register their name and details with his staff at the superette.
A resident of the street, who only wanted to be known as June, said her sister helped remove tagging from her front wall with a wire brush.
"It's really annoying especially when you can't see them. And they are rotten spellers. They spelt terrorism with one 'r'," she said.
In April, Rotorua district councillors described the central city as a "mess". Taggers climbed on to shop awnings to leave their marks and in one case climbed at least 9m to tag the top of the Westpac building in the City Focus.
In response to complaints of limited options to deal with the culprits, Justice Minister Mark Burton said possible legislative changes, including to sentencing guidelines, was part of a national anti-tagging strategy.
Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick said she would be behind any move at a Government level that saw graffiti artists punished more harshly.
Anyone who tags a building can face a charge of intentional damage - the maximum penalty for which is three months' imprisonment or a $1000 fine.
Those aged under 14 are referred to the Police Youth Aid section and can be made to paint over their graffiti. Taggers aged between 14 and 17 were not always prosecuted as that decision depended on their previous criminal history and the extent of the graffiti.
