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National MP Mark Blumsky has called for tough action against taggers, including the use of cameras at graffiti hotspots.
The former Wellington mayor said tagging was a growing problem and the Government should initiate a national response.
Manukau City tried to deal with the problem itself and put a local bill into Parliament, but the local government select committee does not want it passed.
A previous Manukau City bill, to deal with street prostitution, was also stopped by a select committee for the same reason - Parliament does not want laws that make one place different from the rest of the country.
Mr Blumsky, a member of the committee, said the MPs had been sympathetic to Manukau City's problem but a local solution would have led to legal and enforcement issues.
"The local approach would also be unlikely to achieve the objective of curbing graffiti - at best it would simply drive it into other areas."
Mr Blumsky said he was going to promote these responses:
* Zero tolerance for graffiti.
* Heavier sentences.
* Government funding of neighbourhood kits to help communities to clean up their streets.
* A trial of "tag-cams", mobile surveillance equipment to photograph offenders at graffiti hotspots.
Manukau City wanted to target individuals responsible for graffiti and retailers who supplied spray paint cans. It wanted stronger powers of arrest for the police, and it did not want spray cans sold to anyone under 18.
- NZPA
