Santa Maria Municipal Code Ch. 6-8 Reward Program

The City Council finds that graffiti on public and private property creates a condition which reduces property values and promotes blight and neighborhood deterioration. This deterioration invites further graffiti and other forms of crimes including vandalism. It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to provide, through the establishment of a reward program for information leading to the arrests of any persons engaged in graffiti activities, an additional enforcement tool to protect private and public property and public safety.

(Ord. 2006-18, eff. 2/1/07)

(a) Pursuant to Section 53069.5 of the Government Code, the City will pay a reward of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of any person maliciously injuring or destroying another's property by the use of graffiti.

(b) For the purpose of this section, diversion of the offending violator to a community service program or a plea bargain to a lesser offence shall constitute a conviction. No public employee or officials whose duty it is to investigate or to enforce the law, or their spouses, children or parents living in the same household shall be entitled to a reward.

(c) Claims for the rewards under this section shall be filed with the City of Santa Maria Police Department. Each claim shall specifically identify the date, location, kind of property damage, and the name of the person who was convicted or arrested.

(d) In the event of multiple contributors of information, the reward amount shall be divided by the City in the manner it deems appropriate.

(e) No claim for a reward shall be allowed by the City unless the Chief of Police or his/her designee investigates and verifies the arrest or conviction and recommends that it be allowed. The amount of the reward will be subject to the discretion of the Chief of Police or his/her designee, and this decision will be final.

(f) The person committing the graffiti offense, and if an unemancipated minor, then the custodial parent of said minor, shall be liable for any reward paid pursuant to this section. The City can utilize any legal collection method and/or may request that this amount be included as restitution as part of any criminal prosecution against the person committing the graffiti offense.

(Ord. 2006-18, eff. 2/1/07)