Municipal workers in Odessa are consistently engaged in addressing the aftermath of vandalism. Unknown individuals are damaging benches, trash cans, and defacing the walls of underground passages, as well as uprooting flowers from gardens.
Earlier this week, white paint was spilled along the pathway in the City Garden. Staff from the 'City Green Trust' collaborated with colleagues from the 'Service Center' to clean the tile surface. There was also a report of 15 rose bushes being stolen from a flowerbed near the 'Red Cross' bus stop.
Additionally, specialists from the 'Odessa Electric Engineering Operation and Installation Company' have removed the effects of vandalism in pedestrian crossings, where unknown vandals have again defaced the walls.
In October of this year, electricians from 'Odessa City Light' reported acts of vandalism on the Health Trail, where equipment on 10 poles was damaged. Automatic switches and other components were stolen, and cables were torn out. The damaged equipment has since been restored.
Moreover, workers from 'City Roads' regularly wash off graffiti from public transport stops and install new glass panels. Every day, unknown individuals leave graffiti, break benches, and damage trash cans. Stops also suffer from traffic accidents.
The Odessa City Council urges residents and visitors to treat community property with respect. Intentional damage to municipal property carries criminal liability.
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Responsibility for Damage to Municipal Property
Criminal Code of Ukraine
Article 194. Intentional Destruction or Damage of Property
1. Intentional destruction or damage to another’s property, causing 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 motivated by clear 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.
