❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the legality of security cameras for graffiti prevention and reporting procedures. The answer clarifies the legal position and outlines reporting channels, including police and a dedicated website.
AnsweredQoN 502Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GRAFFITI - RESIDENTIAL AREAS
(1) Is there any prohibition on a householder installing and operating a security camera to record activities within his own residential land boundaries and the outer wall of the residential premises in an effort to combat graffiti and other acts of vandalism? (2) If so, what is the act or regulation that prohibits this householder action? (3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD
(1) Is there any prohibition on a householder installing and operating a security camera to record activities within his own residential land boundaries and the outer wall of the residential premises in an effort to combat graffiti and other acts of vandalism? (2) If so, what is the act or regulation that prohibits this householder action? (3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(2) If so, what is the act or regulation that prohibits this householder action? (3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
[See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(2) If so, what is the act or regulation that prohibits this householder action? (3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(3) To which department or agency should a householder report acts of graffiti, and does the government operate a scheme to remove graffiti from the outer walls of a residence? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
(1)-(3) The minister has supplied a lengthy answer, so I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated into Hansard . Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Leave granted. [See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
[See paper 2846.] The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 does not prevent the use of overt optical surveillance devices. Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
Graffiti should be reported to both the WA police and to the asset owner. In the case of witnessing an act, Police attendance should be sought by calling 131444. Damage should also be reported to police by calling CrimeStoppers, as this information can be used for intelligence gathering. In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
In addition to reporting graffiti as a criminal offence, reporting acts for rapid removal is seen as ‘best practice’. It is the responsibility of the asset owner to repair damage caused however in many areas, local Government provides this service to private asset owners. State instrumentalities are responsible for removing graffiti from their assets. The Office of Crime Prevention operates the Goodbye Graffiti website (www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au) to ensure the appropriate asset owners are informed of reported graffiti. Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti to this site.
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