Graffiti Strikes Mineola Businesses Near Jericho Turnpike and Herricks Road

Graffiti bandits have struck again in Mineola, this time defacing the rear properties of several businesses near the intersection of Herricks Road and Jericho Turnpike in Mineola.

On July 31, vandals defaced the rear of the buildings of Auto Barn, BedQuarters, Raini Spa and Essef Industries, leaving large spray-painted scrawls on the brick walls, loading docks, dumpsters and even a delivery truck.

According to the Mineola American, Jim Canell, the owner of BedQuarters, had planned to be in attendance at the meeting of the Mineola Village Board Wednesday night to voice his concerns over the graffiti epidemic, but did not appear before the board during its public session.

Though the graffiti was still present behind many of the businesses on Wednesday afternoon, it appeared that the Auto Barn had painted over its markings as noted by several new areas of fresh paint on the side of the building.

The village has been inundated with reports of graffiti springing up in various locations, most notably at the abandoned gas station on Herricks Road north of Jericho Turnpike across from Herricks Park and along Hinck Way near Roslyn Road.

Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss had gotten into a lengthy discussion with a resident over what exactly can be done about the graffiti problem at a board meeting on July 10 with a resident saying that businesses should repaint every time to discourage vandals, with the mayor rebutting that as somewhat unrealistic because of the skyrocketing costs.

At that meeting, Strauss also noted the limited resources of the police department.

Typically a business has between a week to 10 days to respond to a graffiti summons and to rectify the problem before having fines levied upon it by the village.

Third Precinct officials stated that they have seen increases in graffiti reports in neighboring areas as well including Williston Park, Albertson, Westbury and Carle Place. However, the graffiti markings do not appear to be gang-related according to police.

In 2012 a swath of racist graffiti was found across the village at locations stretching from Chaminade High School and Memorial Park to Roslyn Road. In 2011 marks were found at the La Cisterna restaurant and on the Roslyn Road LIRR trestle.

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