We are urged to "look out for vandals during the holidays"

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/look-out-vandals-about-in-holidays/1643621.aspx

Because graffiti vandals mainly sneak around at night to do their destructive rubbish, they are very rarely caught.

Although in the last few weeks four young graffiti grubs have been apprehended.

These two early October

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/teens-arrested-after-graffiti-found/1640896.aspx

"Police gave the teenagers OFFICAL CAUTIONS"

I don't read anywhere that the parents or the vandals cleaned the up mess, or paid for it to be done.

this young individual in Kirrawee

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/graffiti-teen-arrested/1660635.aspx

"The Sutherland boy was CAUTIONED under the Young Offenders Act."

and this one in September in Kirrawee

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/graffiti-youth-nabbed-with-help-from-the-public/1633388.aspx

and "the police gave him a youth caution"

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In Perth earlier this year:

This fellow needs a "Police Caution"

(Highlight and drag whole link into browser)

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/comments/0,21590,24958175-2761,00.html

.

To make it clear to a minor that illegal activity will not be tolerated this happened on Tuesday night

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/girl-15-cautioned-for-driving-stolen-car/story-e6freuz0-1225794530514
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I WENT TO A POLICE STATION TO ASK WHAT A "POLICE CAUTION" WAS.

I was told that if the person arrested and charged, admits to the crime, and agrees, then they get a police caution.

This consists of a talk, pointing out that what they have done, is bad

I suggested to the officer that maybe a fine of a $1000 to the parent of a minor caught doing graffiti might be more of a deterrent, and the parent would then perhaps keep a closer eye on what their child gets up to.

I said that if I mistakenly park in a disabled spot I can get fined $405, but someone caught doing thousands of dollars damage with a $2.50 can of spray paint, gets a talking to.

Obviously on the record the officer couldn't comment and they have to follow procedure, and explained that as the law stands that's all they can do.

"You should write to someone" the officer said.

"The Sutherland mayor hasn't replied to 2 emails* from me on this subject." I said.

Later:

I rang Sutherland Council and was put through to a graffiti person who agreed that as it is so hard to catch graffiti vandals that when you do they should be made an example of.
I popped into Rockdale Council and was told the same by council staff and a young Policewoman outside Kogarah Police station told me that young offenders treat police cautions as a joke.
A polite young Policeman at Miranda Police station, shall I say, didn't disagree with me that maybe a $1000 dollar fine for parents of minors caught graffiting, would be more of a deterrent than a "Police caution".
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Update Fri 6 Nov

* I wrote to the Mayor about TV advertising during the Bathhurst 1000

http://schoolzonesanta.com/index.php/2009/10/12/supercheap_auto_the_graffiti_vandals_fri

More about Supercheap Auto that in previous pages.

To be continued....