The governing body of any municipality may, by ordinance, provide for the offering of rewards not exceeding $500.00 each, for the detection and apprehension of any person guilty of purposely or knowingly damaging tangible property of another by an act of graffiti in violation of N.J.S. 2C:17-3. A reward is to be payable after conviction out of those funds of the municipality made available therefor. The reward shall be paid to any person who the governing body, acting upon the recommendation of the municipal chief of police or other principal municipal law enforcement officer, may deem entitled thereto, but no reward shall be paid to any public employee whose duty it is to investigate or to enforce the law or to the employee's spouse, child or parent, living in the same household.
For the purposes of this act, "act of graffiti" means the drawing, painting or the making of any inscription on a bridge, building, public transportation vehicle, rock, wall, sidewalk, street or other exposed surface on public or private property without the permission of the owner.
N.J.S. § 2A:153-4.1