PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been fined $250 and court-ordered to perform 16 hours of community service for spraying graffiti under the Tumwater Creek bridge.
Bailey J. Anders, 23, pleaded guilty to third-degree malicious mischief in Clallam County District Court on Monday, said Deputy Chief Brian Smith of the Port Angeles Police Department.
Anders was arrested Saturday, June 6, after a witness gave Sgt. Jason Viada a description of a man who had painted stylized letters several feet high and long on the concrete wall on the south end of the bridge.
Viada also found shoe prints at the scene, and Anders was found carrying a paint bag by Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Backus and Port Angeles Cpl. David Dombrowski, Smith said.
The lettering remains on the bridge, Smith said, adding that he had hoped Anders’ community service would be to remove the graffiti.
But Anders expects to leave the area, and the judge allowed him to perform his community service elsewhere, Smith said.
Smith said he does not know when or how the paint will be removed from property owned by the city of Port Angeles.
Smith added that Anders “was cooperative and took responsibility for his behavior.”
The Police Department continues to investigate other cases involving property damage and malicious mischief, sometimes called “tagging,” Smith said.
“Persons caught by officers can expect to be arrested and booked into the county jail,” he said.
“Citizens calling law enforcement immediately is one of the most effective methods to stop tagging and the resulting property damage.”
To reach the Police Department, call 360-452-4545.