by MB
In a swift resolution, a local twenty-year-old resident of Muggia wrapped up one of the pending criminal cases against him for vandalizing various spaces in Muggia with graffiti and drawings using markers and spray paint. The young offender shelled out approximately 2,000 euros in compensation to the offended party, the Municipality of Muggia. This compensation covers both material damages and, for the first time, damages to reputation, in addition to the expenses incurred during the legal proceedings.
The culprit was identified as a result of an investigation by the Muggia Local Police. The actions constitute an offense under Article 639 of the Penal Code and date back to 2022. Among the defaced property were benches, signs, and road signs, waste bins, and various structures, primarily in public areas. Surfaces made of different materials will now require restoration efforts.
The procedure, decided upon in September, concluded rapidly with the outcome of the hearing held before the Trieste Criminal Court on December 4, 2023. The young individual admitted to his responsibilities, and the payment has already been made. The graffiti consistently displayed the same tag. The individual had also defaced spaces in Trieste, where he received an administrative penalty. In the coming weeks, the Municipality of Muggia will engage a company for the cleaning process.
Another, more severe legal procedure is currently underway, also followed by the municipal legal department, with the hearing scheduled for March 27, 2024. In this case, the perpetrator is once again a Muggia resident, with damages dating back to 2021. The damages are more substantial, affecting public buildings in the historic center, including the Municipality and the church of the Holy Crucifix, the Cosina Gardens, and the Carà museum. The Church and a local bank have also joined as civil parties.
“The fight against graffiti writers is an absolute priority for us,” declares Mayor Paolo Polidori. “From now on, there will be a significant increase in penalties. Last year, the Municipality of Muggia introduced new offenses that were previously nonexistent, incorporated into the new Urban Police Regulation developed by the current municipal administration, considering the growing incidents. It is worth mentioning,” Polidori concludes, “that alongside the punitive measures, the presence of the Local Police and an efficient video surveillance system are invaluable and fundamental. This ensures that potential graffiti writers in Muggia are unlikely to get away with it.”
