The New Orleans City Council has voted to raise fines for those caught tagging buildings and other structures across the city, in a bid to crack down on a widespread practice.
Graffiti artists who are caught spray painting buildings without permission will face fines between $500 and $1,000 under an ordinance the council passed Thursday, up from the $100 fine assessed under the previous law.
“We’re simply updating an existing ordinance to give our judges more discretion when issuing penalties and to strengthen the city’s ability to address a persistent problem affecting neighborhood across the city,” said District D Councilmember Eugene Green, who sponsored the change…