Sydney Sleuths I Need You! (Tracking Graffiti Culprits)

Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:22
Last edited 13/07/2022 - 11:08 by 1 other user

So I live in an old apartment block where the stairwells have recently been painted with graffiti. It grinds my gears because we have recently had them painted recently and will likely need to fork out extra cash to clean it up (for it to likely happen again).

The tags I could identify: Verone, Saro, Sarone, Daydream, Verone BTD

Graffiti Images for reference..I have already registered on Vandal Trak and sent in a police report but won't be holding my breath.

Ultimately I want to catch these guys (or girls) and have them pay for the repairs, you know, like in the movies.

*Security doors exist but are not always closed properly
*No security cameras, will need strata vote to install.

What would you suggest I do to track down the culprits?

Home & Garden Gaffiti

Comments

  • SF3 on 13/07/2022 - 10:25
    +1

    Ultimately I want to catch these guys (or girls)

    What did your building management say? Or you are the building manager?

    Install security doors? And cameras?

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:28

      No building manager, just a strata manager who from experience won't do anything.
      I will send the images to one of the committee members.

      Camera's may be an idea, but that will require a motion at the next general meeting. Making changes like that is a slow process, though could happen within a few months.

      The doors are "locked" but can stay ajar after lots of rain as they are made from wood. Again, another strata vote and cost that may take place down the line.

      • WT on 14/07/2022 - 07:44

        try some metho and scotch bright, it will get a lot of it off.

        Acetone is stronger and will probably take some of the paint with it but should be fine on that floor, be careful

        • Euphemistic on 14/07/2022 - 10:56

          Aeroguard and a cloth.

  • Porker on 13/07/2022 - 10:26
    +5

    Is the stairwell accessible to public or is there a security door?

    If no security door, put one in.

    I suspect even if you caught the vandals, they'd retaliate against you if you attempted to apprehend them.

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:30

      There are security doors, but they have their issues and are occasionally not so secure. (Don't always close unless done forcefully)

      I wouldn't confront them, I'm thinking more finding their tags and identities online and using that as evidence for the police.

      Or finding their identities and posting a warning on the front door saying "we know what you did last Wednesday".

      • AndyC1 on 13/07/2022 - 10:34
        +1

        I would not count on the police doing anything, unless they catch them in the act.

        If you post a warning on the door then expect the outside of the building to start getting tagged as it will piss the taggers off.

        • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:37
          +1

          My thought's exactly, I think we need a camera before warnings.

          I'm thinking of starting a vigilante group within the apartment complex or calling bikies.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/07/2022 - 10:40

        There are security doors, but they have their issues

        ……so ask strata to get them fixed?

        • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:51

          They would need to be replaced completely as they are old wooden doors. It's more an issue of it not closing completely and staying ajar unless forcefully closed. Most residents don't wait around to close it properly.

          I think new modern sliding doors are in the pipeline.

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/07/2022 - 10:56
            +4

            @Longtimescroller: Well get them to speed up the pipeline.

            I doubt any graffiti "artist" of any note would bother with an old stairwell where SFA people would see their tag.

  • Benoffie on 13/07/2022 - 10:48
    +2

    Speak with the local high schools if you have any. Principals keep a file.

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 10:52

      I like this idea, though I think this is where AI and a digital database would work wonders…
      There are probably 20-40 local high schools that I'd have to be calling.

      • mskeggs on 13/07/2022 - 11:00
        +4

        Highly unlikely kids will travel far to tag such a lame spot. Probably only 2 or 3 real candidates of schools. If I was a gambler, I would bet there is an acquaintance living in the building or next door.
        IMO the outcome you want is that your place becomes a hassle if they tag it, so they go elsewhere. So chasing up with the school is a good approach.

  • fullmetal on 13/07/2022 - 10:52
    +1

    Police don't deal with private property. There was once I confronted a group tagging public area, was threatened and they were coming at me. I just have to run away.

    • GrueHunter on 13/07/2022 - 13:36
      +1

      Police don't deal, full stop.

  • bobbified on 13/07/2022 - 11:03
    +1

    Ultimately I want to catch these guys (or girls) and have them pay for the repairs, you know, like in the movies.

    What exactly are you planning to do? The worst thing is, they know where you live. And even if you 'catch them' (whatever that means), the cops are unlikely to care. Depending on the area you live in, if they're kids that just hang around the local area all the time, they're likely to be released and come straight back.

    I'm not saying to let it go completely and not do anything, but I'm saying that you should be treading very carefully. You could easily end up with a few charges yourself and I doubt building management will be paying for your defence lawyers out of the sinking fund!

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 11:15

      Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to confront or fight.
      Im more looking to find these kids so they are no longer anonymous. From their, their actions can at least be identified and short term / long term repercussions can be dealt.

      • Crow K on 13/07/2022 - 11:20
        +1

        Motion activated camera (like for spotting nature at night etc) disguised as a smoke alarm in some unobtrusive corner.

        Probably violates all sorts of privacy rules and creepy as heck, but if you're 'Liam Neeson in Taken'-ing this whole process, that's the least of your concerns.

        • Benoffie on 13/07/2022 - 12:51

          Check the laws in NSW - in SA, a simple sign warning CCTV active in this area is enough to cover the owners of the property.

          If they still come onto the property, they waive their rights to privacy.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 13/07/2022 - 11:07
    +3

    Ultimately I want to catch these guys (or girls) and have them pay for the repairs, you know, like in the movies.

    Haha yeah good luck with that, you're better off funneling your frustration into prevention. I would just grab some paint and a roller and clean it up myself in a couple minutes.

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 11:16

      Strata is already onto it :)

      • Cheaplikethebird on 13/07/2022 - 14:06
        +3

        The other option is to spray "TOYS GET SHANKED" over the top of it. Promise they won't be back.

  • djones145 on 13/07/2022 - 11:16
    +2

    challenge them to do something better! provide examples, and tell them if you do something better, we will keep it and leave their tag there!

    they aint leaving, cops wont do anything

  • Quantumcat on 13/07/2022 - 11:29
    +1

    If you replace the graffiti with a beautiful mural, vandals tend to leave it alone as they respect fellow graffiti artists' work.

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 11:35
      +1

      Perhaps on private property, but given it is a strat apartment block there won't be much appetite for that from residents.

      It's also internal on a stairwell so not really a public space for their fellow graffiti artist to appreciate.

    • kiitos on 14/07/2022 - 07:33

      That used to be the case, though there's a couple of good murals on North shore buildings on the Pacific Highway in Sydney that have unfortunately been tagged.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/07/2022 - 11:31

    hide your own camera, don't tell anyone, and check footage of the stairwell if there is any fresh graffiti, then you will have your evidence

    culprits might live in the apartment block themselves

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 11:37

      It is tempting… I could probably place my Wifi Cam in the stairwell but wouldn't want to compromise the privacy of others in my block. I think strata will be looking at installing a camera in the common areas.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/07/2022 - 11:40

        not much privacy to be expected in a stairwell

  • apple2016 on 13/07/2022 - 11:32

    will likely need to fork out extra cash to clean it up

    Maybe try the insurance?

    • Longtimescroller on 13/07/2022 - 11:36

      I guess it's up to strata to follow up with insurance.

  • sharkyoz on 13/07/2022 - 12:00
    +3

    bikies…

  • Baysew on 13/07/2022 - 12:52
    +3

    Ultimately I want to catch these guys (or girls) and have them pay for the repairs, you know, like in the movies.

    What movies have you seen that has this?

    • whatwasherproblem on 13/07/2022 - 18:46

      Right? I'm curious too. I've literally never seen that outside of aesop-thumping Saturday morning cartoons.

  • Blue Suby on 13/07/2022 - 13:08
    +6

    Our local council has an anti graffiti squad. The sooner the tags are painted over (OK the colour mightn't match exactly) the sooner the taggers give up when their 'art' is no longer on display. They have also commenced 'street art' on some buildings as these are less likely to get tagged, as well as finishing off with anti graffiti clear coat that washes off the tags with water. council have also painted decorative sandstone blocks in parks etc. with clear coat. No more tags!

  • Euphemistic on 13/07/2022 - 19:37

    Before you go paying for an ‘expert’ to clean it up it might be worth trying it yourself.

    Some people use aeroguard to good effect. I’ve used it a bit and it works OK, especially for texta.

    Selleys Muck-Off Graffiti Remover is also a good product, but can take off base layer paint if you go too hard with it. It’s not too expensive.

    Additionally painting over texta can be a futile exercise as the texta will bleed through a lot of layers.

    It’s inllrtant to be quick to remove it, it helps let them know they aren’t going to get the satisfaction of seeing their tag all the time.

  • letmethefuqin on 13/07/2022 - 22:09
    -1

    You are absolutely wasting your time
    These a simple tags, worry about it when you have to deal with a larger throw up.

    Seriously, you are honestly going to get nowhere

  • subydooby on 14/07/2022 - 08:31
    +4

    Just write under them ‘sucks dog ballz’ or like

  • tabitha731 on 14/07/2022 - 19:13
    -1

    What area do u live to have your stairwells vandalised so often? It may be better to fork out proper money to live in an area where such thing doesn’t happen… u get wat u paid for in terms of real estate in Sydney

    • cookie2 on 14/07/2022 - 23:44
      +1

      What an amazing suggestion /s

    • Longtimescroller on 15/07/2022 - 11:50

      I live in Sydney's Eastern suburbs, where do you suppose I move? Also, moving is hardly the 'easy' option.

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