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Lake Havasu City warns graffiti is a crime, outlines penalties and reporting options
Summary
Lake Havasu City code enforcement and police urged residents to report graffiti, detailed penalties for adults and minors, explained the city’s removal notice and billing process, and provided the non-emergency phone number and Havasu Now app for reporting.
Denise, code enforcement manager for Lake Havasu City, and Sergeant Daly of the Lake Havasu City Police Department urged residents to report graffiti and described enforcement steps and penalties.
The announcement said graffiti has increased across the city—appearing on buildings, fences and in parks—and that unauthorized markings on private property are criminal. Denise defined graffiti as “any mark, paint, scratch, sticker, or symbol left on someone’s property without permission,” and cautioned, “If they didn’t say yes, it’s a no.” Sergeant Daly added that possession of spray paint or graffiti tools “in the wrong place at the wrong time” can be treated as a crime if there is intent to damage property.
The speakers emphasized community impact and quick removal. Denise said graffiti “harms neighborhoods,” can make people feel unsafe and may lead to more vandalism. Sergeant Daly warned some graffiti can promote violence or gang activity and urged prompt cleanup: “The faster it’s removed, the better.”
Sergeant Daly outlined the penalties described in the message for adults: “a minimum of 30 days in jail, at least $1,500 in fines, and a minimum of 80 hours of community service,” and said restitution for cleanup costs is also possible. For juveniles, he said the minimum fine is $500 and that parents may be responsible for up to $10,000 in restitution for cleanup.
Denise explained the city’s property-owner notice and removal process: property owners with graffiti will receive a 10-day notice to remove it; if the graffiti is not removed within that period, the city may remove it and bill the property owner for the removal costs. The speakers also told residents how to report vandalism: to report graffiti or illegal tagging in progress call the Lake Havasu City Police Department non-emergency line at (928) 855-1171; to report after the fact submit a photo and location through the Havasu Now app. Sergeant Daly said, “Every report helps us take action quicker.”
The announcement closed with an appeal to civic pride and a request that residents help keep Lake Havasu City clean: “If you see graffiti, help us clean it up.”
The message was informational and did not announce a new ordinance or specific changes to existing law; it restated penalties and reporting procedures described by city staff and police in the audio.
