(The Center Square) – The proposed Seattle bill to combat ongoing illegal graffiti across the city has been amended to increase the fine to a maximum of $1,500 per violation.
Proposed Council Bill 120995 originally set fines at $1,000, but Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka successfully had the fine increased through an amendment approved by a 2-0 vote with two abstentions. Saka proposed to raise the fines as a result of city data showing that a good number of taggers in the city are adults – some with careers of their own – rather than teenagers.
“We learned from the demographics analysis presented from the City Attorney’s Office that some of the most prolific violators [are] at least not struggling and we need to make this hurt for them financially,” Saka said during a Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday…