LANSING – State Representative Fred Durhal III (D-Detroit) introduced House Bill 4187 yesterday, which would raise vandalizing road signs, including graffiti, to a misdemeanor-level offense. Durhal sees this as common-sense legislation to help make driving safer.
“I hear, time and again, the concerns raised by graffiti in our community,” Durhal said. “When any sign that’s supposed to be directional is tainted, that makes driving harder and more dangerous.”
The bill not only covers traditional “tagging” of road signs with spray-paint or marker, but also the tampering of electric road signs to change the message shown and vandalizing lamp posts or traffic signals. If passed, such a measure will fine first-time offenders as much as $500, or lead to one year in prison.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Criminal Justice. Durhal hopes the bill will get a hearing and eventually be voted out.
“The people of House District 5 sent me here to get results. This is me trying to do just that,” said Durhal. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass other common-sense pieces of legislation that will help the lives of Detroiters and Michiganders.”