Vandalism in the City: Consequences and Accountability
Municipal employees are actively engaged in addressing the aftermath of vandalism in the city. Irresponsible individuals are damaging public property, including benches, trash bins, and other amenities, as well as defacing walls of underpasses and bus stops and stealing flowers from gardens.
Earlier this week, unknown individuals spilled paint on the paths in the City Garden. Workers from the "City Green Trust" along with colleagues from the "Service Center" made considerable efforts to clean the tiles. Previously, there were reports of 15 rose bushes being stolen from a flowerbed near the "Red Cross" stop.
Recently, specialists from the "Odessa Electric Technical Installation Enterprise" dealt with the consequences of vandalism in pedestrian crossings, where graffiti and damaged lamps have appeared again.
In October of this year, electricians from "Odessa City Light" recorded an act of vandalism on the Health Trail, where unknown individuals damaged the equipment of 10 poles, stealing automatic switches and other items. The specialists have already restored the damaged equipment.
Employees of "City Roads" frequently clean public transport stops of graffiti and install new glass panels. Almost daily, unknown individuals leave inscriptions, break benches, and trash bins, and damage the glass walls of bus stops. Stops are also affected by traffic accidents.
The Odessa City Hall appeals to residents and visitors to treat municipal property with care. Intentional damage to property is a criminal offense.
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Criminal Responsibility for Damage to Municipal Property
Criminal Code of Ukraine
Article 194. Intentional Destruction or Damage to Property
1. Intentional destruction or damage to another's property causing significant harm is punishable by a fine of up to fifty (850 UAH) non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens, or community service for a period of one hundred twenty to two hundred forty hours, or corrective labor for up to two years, or restriction of liberty for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term.
Article 296. Hooliganism
1. Hooliganism, which is a gross violation of public order motivated by evident disrespect for society, accompanied by particular audacity or exceptional cynicism, is punishable by a fine from five hundred (8500 UAH) to one thousand (17000 UAH) non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens, or arrest for up to six months, or restriction of liberty for up to five years.
2. The same actions committed by a group of individuals are punishable by restriction of liberty for up to five years or imprisonment for up to four years.
