A 20-year old North Bay man has been charged with 22 counts of mischief under $5,000 for damaging property with the tag “CRUST.”
After several complaints from property owners throughout the city related to graffiti tagging that began in May of last year, North Bay Police arrested and charged the man on February 16th.
The tags were found in several locations on City of North Bay property, such as walkway walls, bridges, public buildings, an arena and a fire hydrant, on several commercial buildings, and on a billboard.
The man was released from custody with a court date scheduled for March 29th.
Police did not release a name, but said the investigation continues.
Police warn graffiti taggers that there is a big difference between graffiti art, where artists have permission from property owners to express themselves on a building, and vandalism.
It is a criminal offence to add a tag to public and private property without permission from property owners.
Graffiti artists who are interested in expressing themselves legally on a public art mural are encouraged to contact Jeff Serran, Executive Director, Downtown North Bay (DIA) in person at 133 Main Street West, Suite 101, North Bay, by telephone at 705-474-7824 or by email at [email protected]