Seattle, WA — Seattle police have regained the authority to make arrests related to graffiti, following the Ninth Circuit Court’s decision to overturn a previous ruling that prohibited officers from making such arrests. The court’s reversal comes after a lawsuit filed against the city, where four protestors claimed their First Amendment rights were violated when they were arrested for writing chalk messages outside a police station. Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison announced the Ninth Circuit’s decision on Friday, emphasizing the importance of enforcing laws against graffiti property destruction.
Graffiti has become a significant concern in Seattle, with the U District particularly affected by this issue. Don Blakeney, the Executive Director of U District Partnership, expressed his frustration over the increased presence of graffiti and its negative impact on local businesses. Blakeney’s crews alone clean up around 1,600 graffiti tags in the U District every month. The cost of cleaning up vandalism can be substantial for small businesses, with potential damages to plate glass windows amounting to $5,000. Blakeney believes that the problem has escalated since the previous ruling that prohibited officers from addressing graffiti-related offenses.
While this latest decision by the Ninth Circuit has been hailed as a victory by the city, it has also faced some criticism. KING 5 interviewed individuals who voiced their opposition to the ruling, arguing that graffiti should be considered art and not a crime. Some suggested that the city should prioritize addressing other pressing issues, such as drugs and homelessness. However, Blakeney and other advocates for businesses affected by graffiti are grateful for the renewed focus on combating this problem.
As graffiti continues to be a pervasive issue in Seattle, the city’s efforts to enforce its laws against graffiti property destruction are seen as crucial in protecting taxpayers, businesses, and residents from the financial and visual consequences of this form of vandalism. The recent decision by the Ninth Circuit is expected to empower law enforcement to take more meaningful action against graffiti and alleviate the burden placed on small businesses in the U District and throughout the city.