The Village of Mineola has seen a recent rise in the amount of graffiti last week, according to Building Department Supervisor Dan Whalen.
Different parts of the village including restaurants, parks, and at the Long Island Railroad station were tagged by graffiti, Whalen reported the village’s meeting Wednesday, June 1.
“There are locations that just popped up and happened to be on the first warm weekend and somebody with a spray can probably went at it,” said Village of Mineola Superintendent of Public Works Tom Rini.
Whalen said he had spoken with officers at the Nassau County Police Third Precinct last week, and told them that the village board wanted anyone caught to be prosecuted.
Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss issued a warning for those responsible, and said there would be repercussions for those found caught.
“We will prosecute anybody that’s caught marking up this village,” Strauss said. “It’s disgusting and revolting.”
Local resident Zdena Hoc told the board she believes the graffiti needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible to deter future vandalism.
“I believe that if you leave it up too long, it’s like inviting an open canvas to everyone, and for people to add to it,” Hoc said.
Locations defaced with the spray-painted graffiti include the municipal garage on First Street, a building behind the roller rink at Wilson Park, locations in Memorial Park, the fence along the village pool and adjacent businesses, under the Roslyn Road trestle and La Cisterna restaurant.
Over the last week the department of public works has been cleaning up what it can, but according to Rini some areas are easier to clean up than others.
Rini also said they were working with different businesses to inform them of their responsibility on cleaning up the graffiti, including Winthrop Hospital, which informed him they are attending to the situation.
The village pool has already had their fence taken down and repainted according to Rini, but other areas are more problematic.
“Once the paint is absorbed into the cement, it’s almost impossible to get it all out,” Rini said.
Mineola Trustee member George Durham said residents need to remain vigilant to help catch those who are responsible.
“If you see something, say something,” Durham said.
On another issue, Strauss said he and Village Attorney John Spellman are trying to determine the village’s potential liability for pedestrian accidents occurring because of uneven sidewalks disrupted by tree roots. A village resident recently raise the issue of whether residents or the village are responsible for sidewalk repairs, and who would be liable for pedestrian mishaps.
