Print edition: 
Some of the things in the craft aisle may soon be illegal to walk around with.
The city today is poised to pass a get-tough graffiti law that will make it illegal to have aerosol paint containers, broad-tipped markers, gum labels, paint sticks, etching equipment or just about anything else that could deface someone's property.
If you're busted with such items on public property — or within 100 feet of public property — you could face a misdemeanor charge that could lead to a $250 to $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
If passed, the new ordinance would apply to adults and teenagers alike.
Police have said that they'll be checking people for the items after reports of graffiti and will check into why a person has them to avoid charging people who are carrying spray paint for legitimate projects.
The proposed law comes after police reported a 62 percent increase in graffiti complaints between 2006 and 2009.
The new law would also would make it illegal for anyone other than a parent or legal guardian to give an aerosol paint container to anyone under 18.
It would be illegal to provide any graffiti tool to someone who appears to be under 21 without verifying the person's age.
The Office of Central Inspection spent $291,000 to remove 2,758 graffiti tags last year.
