[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Middle 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 1054-2000. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used herein, the following words and phrases
shall have the following meanings:
An inscription, drawing, message or slogan made on some public
or private surface without the consent of the owner of the property.
Any felt-tip marker, china marker or similar device containing
nonwater-soluble colors and which has a flat or angled writing surface
of 1/2 inch or greater.
A.
Absent express permission to the contrary by the owner
or other person having control thereof, it shall be unlawful for any
person to possess a spray paint container; liquid paint in cans or
other containers or indelible marker in any public building or upon
any public facility or upon any private property with intent to use
the same to deface said building, facility or property. Any person
who possesses a spray paint container, liquid paint in cans or other
containers or any indelible marker in any public building or upon
any public facility or private property with no legitimate or lawful
purpose therefor shall be prima facie presumed to have possession
of the same with the intention of using such container, can, marker
or paint to deface said building, facility or property.
B.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter
for any person to write, print, paint, spray, etch, carve, scratch
or otherwise mark and place graffiti on the real or personal property
of another, whether publicly or privately owned, unless the owner
of said property shall have given prior consent.
It shall be unlawful for any parent, legal guardian
or other person having custody and care of any minor child under the
age of 18 years to assist, abet, allow, permit or encourage said minor
to violate the provisions of this chapter by lack of proper supervision
and control over said minor child.
Any person who violates this chapter shall be
subject to the following fines:
Any person who reports a violation of this chapter
and his/her testimony is instrumental in obtaining a conviction hereunder
shall receive a reward equal to 50% of any fine collected. In the
event that the person shall be a juvenile, then the reward shall be
in the form of a United States savings bond.
[Added 5-15-2023 by Ord. No. 1670-23]
Violation of this Chapter 160 constitutes a breach of the peace.
