Writing on the wall for graffiti
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Antrim Community Safety Partnership is keen to remove unsightly graffiti from Antrim’s housing estates, like this example in Parkhall.
A Senior Antrim loyalist has welcomed plans to remove the blight of graffiti from the town's estates - but has drawn the line at painting over paramilitary murals.
Antrim Community Safety Partnership has been awarded money by the Department of Justice from the seized assets of criminals for the delivery of a temporary scheme for the removal of graffiti on private property.
The scheme will take the form of two graffiti busting weeks which will take place before the end of March.
It is taking place in recognition of continuous concerns raised by community representatives about the 'negative impact' graffiti has on an area.
Ken Wilkinson, who sat on the Partnership for 11 years, said few will mourn the loss of the unsightly paintwork.
He stressed, however, that the same could not be said for two striking murals painted in memory of loyalists murdered during the Troubles.
Antrim man Denver Smith was hacked to death shortly before the first dawn of the new millennium, and has been immortalised in a UVF mural in the Steeple.
His close friend Ken Wilkinson, the South Antrim PUP chair, warned last night that the paramilitary paintwork would be removed 'over my dead body'.
“The only time anyone will touch that mural is when I'm gone and they paint me in beside big Denver," he said.
In Parkhall, the UDA have chosen to commemorate the life and death of John 'Grug' Gregg. The self-styled brigadier, who gained lasting infamy when he launched a murderous attack on Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams, died in a hail of bullets as he left Belfast docks in 2003.
Sources close to the UDA said that there are no plans to remove the gable wall tribute.
Pam Surphlis, Chair of Antrim Community Safety Partnership, has insisted that the removal of less contentious paintings and slogans could make a 'real difference' to the lives of local people.
“Graffiti can give the impression that an area suffers more crime than is the case," she said. "When the graffiti is removed, people will feel the area is a clean and safe place to live, work and visit.
“Statutory agencies take their responsibility for the removal of graffiti on publicly owned property seriously and remove graffiti promptly and efficiently. However, there is a real gap in privately owned properties.
“It can be an issue with establishing ownership, the cost of graffiti removal or the property owner feeling unsure about removing offensive graffiti for fear of reprisals. If this is the case, Antrim Community Safety Partnership wants to help and I would urge anyone who sees graffiti in the neighbourhood to let us know."
The scheme will only run until the end of March and in the event that it is oversubscribed, based on the funds available partners will assess each case for the potential impact on residents, the community and the environment.
Have you spotted graffiti on privately owned property? If so please contact the Partnership Support Team on 028 9446 3113 or partnershipsupport@antrim.gov.uk before Friday, January 27.
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