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The state House approved a bill Feb. 12 that would launch a pilot program that tests new techniques and technologies aimed to counter the rising spread of vandalism through graffiti.
The program, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, was outlined in House Bill 1989, would be directed by the Washington State Department of Transportation. It will include field testing of spray drone technology to cover up existing graffiti, implementation of advanced surveillance systems to identify and apprehend vandals, and prioritizes the Interstate 5 Puget Sound region, spanning from Tacoma to Seattle.
“The explosion of graffiti in our state has become a serious concern that demands an immediate and comprehensive response,” Barkis said. “This bill, like House Bill 1800, seeks to hold perpetrators accountable, but also gets at the critical issue of quickly and efficiently cleaning up buildings, walls, bridges, overpasses and other structures we all encounter every day. I’m grateful to see lawmakers saying ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to this issue. I encourage the Senate to take swift action to get the bill to the governor’s desk this year so we can begin reducing graffiti vandalism and restoring the beauty of our public spaces.”
House Bill 1989 is now before the Senate for further deliberation.
