The city’s municipal services are consistently engaged in addressing the consequences of vandalism that threaten the urban environment of Odessa. Vandals damage not only garden furniture but also deface the walls of underpasses, destroy bus stops, and steal plants.
At the beginning of the week, unknown individuals spoiled the pathways in the City Garden by spilling paint. Employees from the ‘Miskzelentrest’ and ‘Service Center’ worked hard to clean the tiles. Previously, there was an incident of 15 rose bushes being stolen from the flowerbed near the ‘Red Cross’ bus stop.
Additionally, specialists from the ‘Odessa Electrical Installation and Maintenance Company’ recently removed graffiti and repaired vandalized pedestrian crossings, which have suffered from drawings and broken lamps.
In October this year, an act of vandalism was recorded on the Health Trail: 10 poles were damaged, automatic switches and cables were stolen. The service has since restored the damaged equipment.
Moreover, the workers of the ‘City Roads’ have to regularly clean public transport stops from graffiti and install new glass panels. Vandals frequently break benches and bins, as well as cause damage to bus stops during road accidents.
The Odessa City Council urges residents and visitors to treat municipal property with care, as intentional damage may lead to criminal liability.
***
Liability for Damage to Municipal Property
Criminal Code of Ukraine
Article 194. Intentional Destruction or Damage to Property
1. Intentional destruction or damage to someone else's property that causes 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, meaning gross violation of public order due to apparent 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.
