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Graffiti attack numbers paint a grim picture for Metro Trains

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    News article: Graffiti attack numbers paint a grim picture for Metro Trains

    Melbourne trains were hit by more than 1000 graffiti attacks last year, almost half of which took place while the train was in service, as vandals became more adept at stopping trains in their tracks or invading restricted railway areas.

      8077 Chief Train Controller

    Location: Crossing the Rubicon
    Melbourne trains were hit by more than 1000 graffiti attacks last year, almost half of which took place while the train was in service, as vandals became more adept at stopping trains in their tracks or invading restricted railway areas.

    Vandalised trains must be taken out of service promptly to be cleaned, causing disruption to passengers, although rail operator Metro will often leave a graffitied train in service in peak times.

    Metro has called for tougher penalties for those caught attacking  trains, including jail time for the worst offenders, but recent research suggests a "tough on crime" approach to the problem will fail.
    Graffiti attack numbers paint a grim picture for Metro Trains

    The train in the photo looks to be an Hitachi set at McCaully sidings nearest the creek. Was down there a few weeks ago but did not notice the graffiti.
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 12:43

    Last edited by 8077 on 24 Mar 2015 12:45; edited 1 time in total

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      bevans Site Admin

    Location: Melbourne, Australia
    The train in the photo looks to be an Hitachi set at McCaully sidings nearest the creek. Was down there a few weeks ago but did not notice the graffiti.
    8077

    I believe you are correct.  The Hitachi's have been in that location (well at least 2 6 car sets on the sidings closest the creek) since there withdrawal from service.

    The area is outlined on Vicsig: http://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Macaulay-Stabling-Sidings-and-Light-Repair-Centre

    Note the spelling is Macaulay.  The buggers have got into the compound.
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 13:37

    Last edited by bevans on 24 Mar 2015 13:38; edited 1 time in total
      X'Trapolis-904M Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Melbourne
    The hitachi's are in the new connex livery not the met so it can't be them
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 14:15
      bevans Site Admin

    Location: Melbourne, Australia
    Image from Flickr on what I think are the stored Hitachi units.

    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 14:25

    Last edited by bevans on 24 Mar 2015 14:26; edited 1 time in total
      YM-Mundrabilla Minister for Railways

    Location: Mundrabilla but I'd rather be in Narvik
    I usually have little sympathy for Metro and its antics but on this topic I do.
    It is no good just catching these offenders when they get off on some micky mouse penalty. Until/unless the judiciary start to take this problem seriously and dish out a few weeks/months in the slammer for these people nothing and no one is safe from criminal damage of this nature.
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 14:54

    Last edited by YM-Mundrabilla on 24 Mar 2015 14:57; edited 1 time in total
      Madjikthise Assistant Commissioner

    "An Australian study of the impact of stiffer anti-graffiti penalties in Western Australia in 2004 found attacks had not reduced two years later, particularly among recidivists."

    How many times has the maximum penalty been applied? How many actually jailed? I'm going to take a guess at never, which is why it's not working. "He's got no money, he's always been such a good kid."

    And here's the usual response from the "experts" who think the vandals just need a good talking to:

    "The EU-funded Graffolution project, launched last year, seeks to better understand the psychology of offenders, who view graffiti as self-expression, in contrast to transport operators who view it as a costly problem.

    This perspective leads to "repressive prevention strategies in contrast to legal alternatives such as 'free walls' ", the Graffolution site states."
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 17:04
      Bogong Chief Commissioner

    Location: Essendon Aerodrome circa 1980
    Well we all know that magistrates will let the kids who wreck our trains off with a warning, but no proper disincentive such as a five figure fine or a month or two in the slammer.

    But without a strong disincentive the moment they leave court, the kids will just fetch their wire cutters and head right back to attack our trains.

    Now under a Bogong Regime, train compounds will be protected with high voltage electric fences and hidden man traps (essentially over sized old fashioned rabbit traps). Survivors would then be exiled to do a years community work somewhere a long way from trains like the Tanamai desert.

    But until that time, our government should direct our wishy-washy magistrates to harden up and provide penalties that are a real disincentive for the criminals that trash our trains.

    --- rant ends ---
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 17:44
      freightgate Minister for Railways

    Location: Albury, New South Wales
    Completely agree. The courts are far too soft on these vandals.

    We do need to spend more effort understanding why they feel the need to do what they do.

    Treat the cause not the crime.
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 18:12
      ElliotProvis Junior Train Controller

    Location: Melbourne, Victoria
    Not that this is a solution, and no doubt it's been suggested before, but why don't we start asking these 'creative, expressive geniuses' to start doing this in an overall design scheme that does our City proud and embraces this counter-culture that is manifesting itself ever more prominently. If there's one way to suck "imagination" out of the youth it's to corporatise their lives (however in this case I feel like it wouldn't be uncalled for, make it seems lame because it's encouraged mad adopted as a policy).

    Who knows - then kids might even start applying decals!
    Posted: 24 Mar 2015 23:34
      thadocta Chief Commissioner

    Location: Katoomba
    Even if a few months in prison isn't effective in dissuading offending, at the very least they can't do any damage whilst they are locked up!

    Dave
    Posted: 25 Mar 2015 01:06
      Lad_Porter Chief Commissioner

    Location: Yarra Glen
    Prison is possibly even counter-productive, because when they get out they will feel a need for revenge and do it all over again.
    Posted: 25 Mar 2015 09:30

    Last edited by Lad_Porter on 25 Mar 2015 09:39; edited 1 time in total
      TheBlacksmith Chief Commissioner

    Location: Ankh Morpork
    If, as the report says, repressive penalties are not having any effect, what is Singapore doing that makes graffiti almost non-existent over there?
    Posted: 25 Mar 2015 09:32
      Carnot Chief Commissioner

    If, as the report says, repressive penalties are not having any effect, what is Singapore doing that makes graffiti almost non-existent over there?
    TheBlacksmith
    A few whacks on the back of the thigh/backside with a Rattan stick apparently:
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/11450905/Singapore-sentences-young-German-vandals-to-nine-months-in-prison-for-spray-painting-train.html

    Leaves permanent scarring too which is somewhat ironic....
    Posted: 25 Mar 2015 11:37

    Last edited by Carnot on 25 Mar 2015 11:45; edited 1 time in total
      Braddo Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Narre Warren
    Note the spelling is Macaulay.  The buggers have got into the compound.
    bevans
    I've seen a lot of graffiti videos. Getting into the sidings is very common (usually the fence is cut with a small pair of boltcutters), and I've even seen footage of people entering train maintenance sheds and vandalising the trains RIGHT IN FRONT of the Connex/Metro staff.

    If it's an artistic and visually appealing piece then I'm more than happy for it to be left there but they should be made to remove tagging and any other unsightly pieces of "art".
    Posted: 28 Mar 2015 03:10

    Last edited by Braddo on 28 Mar 2015 03:14; edited 2 times in total

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