The Mandaue City government has launched stricter monitoring and community involvement against individuals using spray paint on walls, as officials admit the issue remains difficult to control due to the easy availability of spray paint and the challenge of identifying vandals.
Police Call for Serious Approach
Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta Jr., director of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), stated that authorities need a more serious approach to identify and track individuals who purchase spray paint. He added that tracing these purchases would greatly help in identifying those responsible for reported vandalism incidents.
Verification System for Buyers
Acosta emphasized the importance of establishing a verification system for spray paint buyers to enable proper backtracking by police. This would make it easier for law enforcement to identify and investigate potential perpetrators. He noted that the easy purchase of spray paint from sari-sari stores and markets is one reason vandalism cases persist.
The police chief clarified that spray paint is not a prohibited item. The concern is simply to monitor buyers so that authorities have leads to follow if illegal painting occurs. One measure being considered is asking for and recording the identities of buyers to gather information for investigations.
Community Cooperation Needed
Acosta acknowledged that vandalism remains a major problem in the city. He called on residents to immediately report any sightings and provide information on offenders, as police struggle without community assistance. He explained that making arrests without sufficient basis is not easy.
The police also observed that vandalism often occurs in secluded or less crowded areas, making it difficult to catch perpetrators in the act. This is a significant challenge that requires close coordination with barangays.
Recurring Issue
Meanwhile, Mandaue City Councilor Joel Seno stated that vandalism has long been a recurring problem in many local governments.
