Res. No. 140 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass one of a number of bills authorizing the revocation of drivers' licenses of persons convicted of making graffiti. Body By Council Members Gallagher, Oddo, Lanza, Gerson, Reed and Vallone Whereas, Prohibiting the defacement of property with graffiti is important in preventing the destruction and devaluation of private and public property; and Whereas, The usual penalties of fines and jail have had little effect in deterring young people from committing graffiti vandalism; and Whereas, There are a number of bills pending in the State Legislature that would amend sections 502 and 510 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, as well as section 701 of the Correction Law, by giving authority to the courts, the superintendent of state police, and the commissioner of motor vehicles to suspend or refuse to issue a driver's license to a person convicted of making graffiti in violation of section 145.60 of the Penal Law; and Whereas, According to the provisions of these bills, if the person's license was previously suspended or revoked for any reason, the commissioner of motor vehicles shall have the authority to extend the period of suspension or revocation for an additional period for no more than one year; and Whereas, If the person convicted of making graffiti is ineligible for a driver's license by reason of age, these bills authorize the commissioner of motor vehicles to withhold issuance of a driver's license as of the date upon which such person would otherwise be eligible; and Whereas, The commissioner of motor vehicles would have the authority to reduce any period of revocation or withholding by one day for each hour of community service performed by the person when such person requests the opportunity to do community service and the commissioner of motor vehicles determines the sufficiency of the community service; and Whereas, The commissioner of motor vehicles would be authorized to issue conditional licenses to persons who have had their license suspended or revoked pursuant to this section; and Whereas, Because a driver's license is a teenager's favorite possession, the threat of suspending or refusing to issue a license, in addition to other penalties, should have a strong deterrent effect on graffiti vandalism; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass one of a number of bills authorizing the revocation of drivers' licenses of persons convicted of making graffiti.