Off-Duty Police Officer Catches Graffiti Vandals in the Act

Published on: 2011/07/20 - in News

Kingston Police report that early Wednesday morning at 2:49 a.m., an off duty officer observed suspicious activity while driving by the intersection of Sheppard Street and Joyce Street.

The officer observed two youths approach an electrical box where one began to paint the box with graffiti while the other kept watch. The police officer then approached the individuals, identified himself, and called 911 to request assistance.

Both of the youths had backpacks containing a number of paint spray cans and markers as well as copies of recent graffiti “tags”.

They were jointly charged with Mischief not exceeding $5,000 and one was charged with breach of Recognizance.

According to the police news release, mischief is done when a person wilfully damages or destroys property with no intent to steal it, or renders it dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective. It is also done when a person obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of the property. Mischief even includes acts performed on someone’s data, such as destroying or altering it, rendering data meaningless, useless or ineffective, or obstructs and interferes with the lawful use of data or information.

Most broadly-defined, mischief covers almost all circumstances that lead to the damage of another person’s property. If you are damaging your own property, then that is not construed as mischief. Examples of mischief or mischievous activities include damaging someone else’s home or vehicle, damaging public or private property, various acts of vandalism and even graffiti (tagging public or private property).

————————————————————————————————

Photo (graffiti in London): Benjamin D. Esham

Tags: