Graffiti is regarded by most as a form of criminal damage and will be defined as any inscription, marking, writing, painting or drawing, illicitly scratched, scribbled, drawn, cut, carved, posted, pasted sprayed or painted on any surface. The outer lining upon which the graffiti is applied is normally vertical and in public view, because people who apply their tags or ‘works of art’ want them to be seen. Graffiti is applied to stationary objects such as walls, fences, trees, street furniture and street cabinets and also to moving objects, such as railway carriages, buses and commercial vehicles.
The “Broken Windows” theory is defined as a criminological theory of the norm-setting and signaling effectation of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. Under Broken Windows, the thinking is that preventing small crimes, such as vandalism, leads to de-escalation of more serious crimes.
Graffiti has been one of the primary targets of the Broken Windows theory, yet zero tolerance policies, when implemented, have failed to be effective at preventing its spread, despite raising fines and punishments.
The Police Department and numerous community volunteers strive to maintain a sense of order in the City. Please report any graffiti, shoes hanging from wires, illegally dumped materials, and general blight to either the Police Department (610-384-2300) or the City Codes (610-384-0300). An orderly environment.
For additional information, contact Sergeant Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville. org.
GRAFFITI IS AGAINST THE LAW. ANYONE WHO PUTS GRAFFITI ON ANY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF COATESVILLE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME PUNISHABLE WITH A FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT.
Police Law Enforcement Chaplain Program
The Coatesville Police Law Enforcement Chaplain program was created to come together for the common good of citizens and to contribute to the nurture and enhancement of members of law enforcement and the community. The Chaplains are committed to serving the citizens and the Police Department all through times of crisis, to notify family members of death, to counsel in a reaction to stress or family crisis situations, and to act as a liaison between the Police Department and the community in major accidents and incidents. Through this program, it establishes effective communication between the Police Department and the community it serves.
Several large scale clean up projects are using Dumpster rental in Coatesville PA to dispose of the trash that has accumulated in vacant lots.
Law enforcement chaplains provide a number of services within the law enforcement community. The role of the law enforcement chaplain deals primarily with law enforcement personnel and agencies. The chaplain responds to these unique needs and challenges with religious guidance, reassuring and trustworthy presence, resources and counseling services. The law enforcement chaplain offers support to law enforcement officers, administrators, support staff, victims and their loved ones, and occasionally even the families of accused or convicted offenders. Law enforcement chaplaincy is just a ministry of presence, and also have the proper training to work with police force and the community.