Two male youths caught on camera Jan. 5 spray-painting graffiti at Langford’s Starlight Stadium took part in a forum that brought all of the affected parties together, including Langford bylaw officers, police and the youths’ guardians.
The youths, age 15 and 16, were also linked to two other graffiti incidents at Kitty Lequesne Park and Leigh Place Park. They were identified with public help.
Both took responsibility for their actions, formally apologized and wrote essays on the impact of “hateful” graffiti.
The content of the graffiti wasn’t specified.
Police pegged the cost of cleanup for the Starlight Stadium incident alone at thousands of dollars.
The two were issued $1,500 in fines — $500 for each site damaged — but the amount was reduced to $750 after they agreed to each perform 20 hours of community service.
Their community service was completed as of Sunday.
West Shore RCMP’s restorative justice program, which operates with help from volunteers, aims to teach offenders to take accountability for their actions, said program co-ordinator Randie Joh.
“Community service hours are a way for offenders to heal their relationship with businesses and victims as offenders are tasked with serving the same community their crime impacted.”
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