Res. No. 550 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to enact A.5384, an act to amend the general business law, in relation to the licensing of sellers of aerosol spray paint cans and broad tipped indelible markers. Body By Council Members Sears, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Koppell, McMahon, Nelson, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin and Gennaro Whereas, Despite measures designed to limit graffiti throughout the five boroughs, New York City continues to experience such vandalism; and Whereas, According to Mayoral Executive Order Number 24, "the damage caused by graffiti-related vandalism depreciates the value of the property it defaces and it costs the City and property owners millions of dollars in clean-up expenses each year;" and Whereas, The recent explosion in graffiti vandalism has contributed to an increase in urban decay; as articulated by Mayor Bloomberg, "Graffiti is not just an eyesore; it is a message to criminals and citizens that we don't care;" and Whereas, Aerosol spray paint cans and broad tipped indelible markers are two of the most commonly used instruments of graffiti; and Whereas, The New York City Council found in a recent survey that New York City's current graffiti-related legislation does not adequately prevent minors from purchasing aerosol spray paint cans and broad tipped indelible markers; and Whereas, A.5384 authorizes municipal regulation of the sale of aerosol spray paint cans and broad tipped indelible markers through the issuance of licenses and permits in order to limit the amount of vandalism caused by graffiti; and Whereas, The proposed bill also enables local governments to revoke the license or permit of any store owner who improperly sells aerosol spray paint cans or broad tipped indelible markers; and Whereas, This licensing system would give local governments a necessary tool to better regulate those items most often used to deface property; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to enact Assembly Bill A.5384, an act to amend the general business law, in relation to the licensing of sellers of aerosol spray paint cans and broad tipped indelible markers. DB 10/15/02 LS #1156