City To Sue Parents of Juvenile Graffiti Offenders

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Story Created: Jun 30, 2009 at 9:20 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 30, 2009 at 9:28 PM CST

June 30, 2009

Police have one more tool in their arsenal to go combat the ever increasing graffiti problem.

The Corpus Christi City Council unanimously supported suing parents of habitual graffiti offenders Tuesday, specifically when the tagger has done extreme damage.

The law has been on the books for several years now, but hadn't been enforced. But now, with the rise of graffiti, and seeing the same offenders causing thousands of dollars in damage, the police department's Graffiti Task Force decided it was time for parents to start taking responsibility.

The city of Corpus Christi is the first in the state to start suing parents of graffiti offenders. Odessa is considering enforcing a similar measure.

Sunday, Jul 5 at 3:38 PM karen wrote ...

I like to see these offenders have to replace the entire fence with new materials. Drive down kostoryz and notice spots of paint covering the graffiti, it makes our town look trashier than ever. What about all these new fences that are costing hardworking people good money. Make them put up new fencing and pay for it to be professional installed. That ought to cut down on vandalism

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 1:07 PM Amanda wrote ...

I am not saying that it couldn't happen to me. I know very well that a life of drugs and crime is possible for my son. What I am saying is that someone has to (literally) pay for these crimes. It should be the parents (who, in turn, can make the juvenile work it off). Some of these parents need to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 11:11 AM Thugs R Us wrote ...

Throw them in jail with a corn holer and I guarantee they won't spray paint anymore. Problem solved.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 10:36 AM sparks wrote ...

I say as with drugs, alcohol or ciggarettes. Find out who supplied them with the paint and charge them with the crime. I don't know other states but here in Indiana a minor cannot buy spray paint. I should not be held accountable when somebody else's ignorant 18 yr old arms my kid with spray paint. Any more than if they bought my kids alcohol.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 10:22 AM Carmen wrote ...

It seems most children do not even have a chance these days. Most parents do the best that they can. However, sometimes, even the best parents have no control over their kids. In some instances yes, I believe the parents should be held responsible. This however, is something different. Make the children work and pay for the damage by doing community service...fix what they messed up. Once the governement starts holding parents responsible for something like this, the flood gates are open.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 9:41 AM FED UP!! wrote ...

Wow! what a concept!!! you mean actually expect parents to be responsible for the brats they bring into this world? ABOUT TIME!!!! And to those that say boo hoo I will get in trouble if I discipline my children B.S.!!! NO COP will arrest you for spanking a child! for BEATING a child yes, spanking NO... BE RESPONSIBLE be involved and raise your children, if having children is just too inconvenient for you then give them up for adoption, but don't whine about being a parent.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 9:14 AM donna wrote ...

I agree. No sueing or making parents pay for what their kids did, have their kids repaint, wash and re do the area that they damaged, that's more appropriate and will teach them a lesson moreso than their parents paying their way out again.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 8:25 AM MilitaryMale wrote ...

This why in context is a good thing the backlash could be far worse. If your going to hold parents responsible then what about if your child kills someone, steals, does drugs ect. The cycle is never ending and all our children are capable of breaking the law and making a mistake that may now cost you everything you own. Think before you jump all over ideas like this.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 7:53 AM Amanda wrote ...

I know that you think it is "completely outrageous" for parents to be expected to pay for damages their kids incur, but who do you think should get stuck with the bill? You are right: you CANNOT control everything your kids do, but you MUST teach them to accept responsibility for their actions. If the parents have to pay, then the parents should make their kids work it off somehow. Babysit, mow lawns, clean houses, etc. If it were my son, he would pay back EVERY dime of it.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 7:30 AM Terry H wrote ...

I agree with making the kids work off the damages. I would say Double the actual damages as a punitive measure and have the parents work beside them. A bit of physically demanding work works wonders.Or at least they will be too tired to get into trouble.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 7:15 AM Timo wrote ...

I like Corpus Christi now... go after these dirtbag families and recoup what money you can... and embarass the daylights out of all them, parents and kids alike!

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 5:52 AM John wrote ...

Fines for parents and Jail time for both? Ok, lets say my kid goes and does a whole bunch of grafitti, I have to pay a fine...then what? Do I get to beat him or do I go to jail when I do that? The only real solution is punishment for the individual, if your kid cant behave and you cant control him then let the law take care of him. You cannot hold another person accountable for another persons actions if they have no REAL control over that person, thats the stupidest thing Ive ever heard

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 5:42 AM Old Mom wrote ...

Nip it in the bud! The first time they're caught, make them scrub, repaint and improve the area they damaged and volunteer at the nearest facility for homeless people. And yes, at this point, I agree with asking the parents to accept some responsibility.

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Thursday, Jul 2 at 1:11 AM Darrell wrote ...

I am fairly sure the parents didn't put the paint in their hands. These little guys look old enough to face some jail time

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 11:41 PM george wrote ...

Once again you people want to let parents off the hook for being to lazy to raise their offspring. Start with fines then jail time for both.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 10:28 PM alejandra wrote ...

i'm all for it...if the parents get sued for something their "kids" did, then maybe the parents will actually start to dicipline their "kids"...

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 10:11 PM lol wrote ...

Sodomize the kids, that'll teach 'em.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 6:27 PM edward wrote ...

Don Corpier please save your imbecilic insights for your own town of Armpit (Canfield) Ohio.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 6:24 PM Logic wrote ...

Garnish the parent's paycheck for something their teenage son/daughter has done? Are you kidding me? The fact that they can even sue the parents is completely outrageous. PARENTS CANT CONTROL EVEYTHING A KID DOES. PUNISHING THEM TEACHES THE KID NOTHING. Make them do community service. Lots of it. Wash/repaint the walls they sprayed.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 6:16 PM Bruce Carroll wrote ...

why don't they just garnish the parent's paycheck, as well as Involuntarily committ the teenagers to an after school community service until they graduate from high school then from there force them to go to a maximum security prison until they turn 40 or until they have paid back the community the money for the damage that other people had to fix with their own money. Or even better, put a perament blacklist on their name for life fiancially.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 5:51 PM don corpier wrote ...

what do you expect from a red neck state like texas. please. these clowns cant stop the problem so now they are going to sue parents. more than likely these folks dont have two dimes to rub together. the wonderful state of texas is now going to spend untold thousands for zip. this state never ceases to amaze me-they think its great to sentence a person to death if they are guilty or not-they have one of the worst school systems in the country and their judicial systems is on par with nazi german

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 4:55 PM Frank wrote ...

Texas spends $90,000.00 a year to lock up one juvenile offender...maybe you should rethink the whoel throwing into prison/jail thing if you are worried about the expense...

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 7:25 AM Amanda wrote ...

"decided it was time for parents to start taking responsibility" "habitual graffiti offenders" ??? Come on-- make them pay the very first time. I sure wish CCCC could get it together. I personally don't want to pay for it out of MY taxes. I'll tell you what-- if they don't have the money (and you know they won't, of course) have a paddy pick them up at 6 am to pick up trash on the freeway every weekend until they have paid off their debt.

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Wednesday, Jul 1 at 7:23 AM ben wrote ...

Why go through the expense of suing some that has no money. You can't get blood from a turnip. Why not just throw their butts in jail for 4 or 5 years and at least get them out of the way for a while.

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The Corpus Christi City Council has voted to negotiate with the National Swim Center to replace the Coliseum. Do you agree?

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