(The Center Square) – The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed 34 felony criminal cases against 17 defendants for a combined $100,000 in damages stemming from vandalism.
The defendants are alleged to have been “tagging” property across King County. Tagging has caused thousands of dollars in damages, according to the prosecuting attorney’s office.
In Seattle alone, remediation cost of public graffiti is estimated to total over $6 million annually.
“We want business owners and taxpayers who have been hurt by this to know that we hear that you have been harmed and that we are taking action,” King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said in a statement. “As King County prosecuting attorney, I want residents to know that laws are being appropriately enforced and that we are seeking accountability for harmful felony criminal behavior.”
Manion worked with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol over the last few months.
The charges are a result of the collaboration between the entities to create the foundation of the 34 charging documents.
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison’s office will be providing prosecutorial assistance on the cases.
“Many adults in these organized groups are involved in cases referred to my office, in addition to these felony charges announced today,” Davison said. “Because they’re organized, we in the public safety system have to be more organized in our accountability response.”
Graffiti has been a worsening issue for the city in recent years. Since 2019, reports of graffiti in the city have increased more than 50%.
Vandalism response totaled $632,237 in the 2023-2024 Seattle budget.
In January, Davison’s office appealed to reverse a 2023 federal district court injunction that barred the city’s ability to enforce its misdemeanor graffiti ordinance.
The 9th Circuit Court reversed that ruling in the following month.
County prosecutors are also seeking restitution from the 17 defendants for the significant damages they believe to have caused. According to a press release, that totals thousands of dollars in most cases.
The 17 defendants are expected to have arraignment hearings next month to enter initial pleas in King County Superior Court.