Document 1 - Review of Graffiti Best Practices from major US cities
City	Los Angelec, CA	New York City, NY	Philadelphia, PA	Dallas, Texas	El Mirage, Arizona	Wilmington, North Carolina	Phoenix, AZ
All info pulled from this webpage, unless otherwise specified	http://www.ci.la.ca.us/	http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/managing/graffiti.shtml	http://www.phila.gov/administration_pcol/antigraffiti/index.html	http://www.dallascityhall.com/	http://www.cityofelmirage.org/	http://www.ci.wilmington.nc.us/	http://phoenix.gov/NBHDPGMS/grafbust.html
		http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/anti_graffiti/main.shtml	http://www.muralarts.org/request/	http://graffitihurts.com/awards/2006winners.cfm#dallas	http://graffitihurts.com/awards/2006winners.cfm#dallas	http://graffitihurts.com/awards/2006winners.cfm#dallas
Slogan	Operation Clean Sweep
Key contact list for reporting graffiti to the appropriate stakeholders	GRAFFITI HOTLINE 311 The Department of Building and Safety is the entity responsible for enforcing Ordinance §165152. Violators can be reported by calling 888-LA4-BUILD (524-2845).	Call 9-1-1 for crimes in progress.                  Call 3-1-1 to provide information on graffiti vandalism. New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner, Community Affairs (Education, Training, and Outreach) TEL 646-610-5323 City-Wide Vandals Task Force (Education and Enforcement) TEL 718-714-3116	Anti-graffiti hotline: (215) 685-9556                Mural Arts Program: (215) 683-3689                   For more information about the Anti-Graffiti Network, the Paint Voucher Program, or graffiti removal, call the Anti-Graffiti Information Line at (215) 686-2024 or (215) 685-9956. Contact Information Thomas Conway, Deputy Managing Director 1401 JFK Blvd., Room 680 Philadelphia, PA 19102-1683 Phone: (215) 686-2114; Fax: (215) 686-1458 Anti-Graffiti Information Line: (215) 685-9556	Contact:                                                       Larry Lankford - 972 852-2789 - larry@ecophones.com Cecile Carson - 940-230-6035 - cecilecarson@netscape.net	Contact:                                                        Linda Kleiner - 623-933-9391 - desert25841@cox.net	Contact: Julie Cook - 910-262-7216 - designjc@ec.rr.com	Graffiti 24-Hour Removal Hotline: 602-495-7014 Graffiti Busters Program: 602-495-0323 - call for info on program, to acquire tools for cleanups, free paint, paint sprayer on wheels Retail (non-access to spray paint): 602-495-7844 Verizon and Alltel Cellular Phone Users call toll free: #4663 Police Department Graffiti Hotline - Vandal Catching/Reward Program: 602-262-7327 - up to $250 can be rewarded for providing information that leads to an arrest Graffiti in progress: 9-1-1 Crime Stop hotline: 602-262-6151- contact Crime Stop if you have been a victim of graffiti vandalism to report the crime.  A report will be taken.
City graffiti hotlines and on-line websites to report graffiti/tagging on public and private property	GRAFFITI & ILLEGAL DUMPING HOTLINE 311   On line form to request removal http://www.lacity.org/bpw/ocs/grsr.htm						Graffiti Hotline: 602-262-7327
City's Approach	Graffiti and illegal dumping is a significant vandalism problem for businesses and communities throughout this country. Besides defacing public and private property, graffiti and illegal dumping signals disorder in a neighborhood and invites crime. The physical condition of a neighborhood and a business district sends clear signals to potential offenders about the likelihood of being apprehended for their crimes.                                                        The Department of Building and Safety will then dispatch an Inspector to inspect the nuisance and cite the owner, if appropriate. In the event that the nuisance is not removed or otherwise eliminated after notification by the City, the City or its contractor may enter upon the property and eliminate the nuisance. The City will then bill the owner for the cost of the elimination or abatement of the nuisance, including administrative costs.	The New York City Police Department, in keeping with its pledge to aggressively pursue and apprehend quality of life offenders, is focusing on graffiti vandals. Precinct, Police Service Area and Transit District Commanding Officers will identify the Special Operations Lieutenant as the local Anti-Graffiti Coordinator who will oversee enforcement, clean-up, and education efforts regarding graffiti. GRAFFITI IS A CRIME Graffiti vandalism is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine, and/or community service. Any person caught defacing property without the express permission of the owner will be arrested.	Mission The Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN) is dedicated to the eradication of graffiti vandalism through the coordinated efforts of city agencies, business organizations and community groups.	Keep Dallas Beautiful                                        From 2004 to 2005, Dallas received over 1,700 graffiti complaints and spent more than $220,000 to clean up defaced property. And yet the City had no comprehensive graffiti prevention program in place. A handful of residents, city employees, and an elected official got the ball rolling. From there, a coalition of neighborhood groups, city services, and Keep Dallas Beautiful was organized. The coalition set out to achieve three goals: create a new city program targeting graffiti vandalism, seek $250,000 in funding to operate the program, and organize a citywide paint out called Graffiti Wipe Out 2006. They also designated a single contact in the city for graffiti, wrote a new anti-graffiti ordinance, and established a database to track vandalized sites and volunteers. Finally, better coordination between prosecutors, the district attorney's office, and the City of Dallas was established.	Together Against Graffiti                                             Together Against Graffiti began with one woman's effort to combat graffiti that had overrun her city, and has now grown to include nearly every city in Maricopa County, AZ. In the year since Together Against Graffiti has been in operation there has been a 97% reduction in graffiti and 40 graffiti arrests The team focused on an eight-step program, which included arrest and prosecution of graffiti vandals, rapid removal, citizen and school graffiti education, involving home owners associations, and organizing volunteers to adopt-a-spot.	A public wary of using parking decks littered with graffiti was the impetus for a mural project spearheaded by the City of Wilmington and Celebrate the Arts. The result is no new graffiti on the mural walls and occupancy of the parking deck has increased by 10% and growing.	"Graffiti Busters"                                                      Zero tolerance program - $1.2 million program - Motion-activated "flash cams" that issue audio warnings then snap photos of the vandal in action. - Tough penalties: Phoenix has the strictest anti-graffiti code in the nation - Rewards (up to $250) for tips leading to arrests http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special21/articles/0520graffitibusters20.html
Minimum performance standards for the timely removal of graffiti from both public and private spaces	ZERO-TOLERANCE ZONES FOR GRAFFITI IN CITY PARKS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS.  Removal within one week in designated at risk parks and then removal within 24 hours if the graffiti returns.						Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance requires that all sidewalks, walls, buildings, fences, signs be free from graffiti.  To help in the effort, the city created the Graffiti Busters Program. The goals of the program are (1) to remove graffiti within 48 hours of receiving a report from any city resident and (2) support a zero tolerance approach to graffiti in our neighborhoods
Tips for preventing graffiti	You Can Take a Stand to Prevent Graffiti and Vandalism  Educate the public, especially young people, about the costs of vandalism Clean up vandalism as soon as it happens – replace signs, repair playground equipment, paint over graffiti If you see anyone committing vandalism, report it to the police, school authorities, or someone who can take action. Remember, vandalism is a crime Protect your house or apartment from vandalism by using good lighting, locking gates and garages Support recreational programs for young people in your community Volunteer your time, donate money or supplies, and help in any way you can Involve young people in all vandalism prevention efforts Organize a graffiti clean-up project in your neighborhood. Work with Neighborhood Watch and ask the city or a local business for cleaning supplies and paint Work with schools or the arts community to paint murals on areas that are vulnerable to graffiti. Make it a contest for teens Adopt a street or park, perhaps in cooperation with a church or business. Plant trees, bushes and flowers. Repair equipment and install trash containers Organize a monthly park patrol to clean up litter and keep an eye on things Utilize the hotline to report vandalism Have a community meeting on vandalism to discuss its victims, costs and solutions
Tips and guidelines for effective graffiti removal, as well as lists of available graffiti removal products and companies	A community’s first step in taking back its streets is getting rid of graffiti immediately. This power struggle cannot be won overnight, but persistent communities working in partnership with law enforcement almost always emerge as victors.  Once the graffiti is gone, use landscape designs (such as prickly shrubs or closely planted hedges), building materials (such as hard-to-mark surfaces), lighting, or fences to discourage vandalism. This philosophy, known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, can help diminish the possibility of graffiti by changing landscaping, lighting, fencing, etc.	REMOVING AND PREVENTING GRAFFITI If your property is defaced with graffiti • Immediately report the incident to the police. • Upon the completion of a police report, prompt removal of the graffiti is suggested to prevent the long term display of the markings and discourage the purpose of the vandalism. • Experience has shown that prompt clean-up is an effective deterrent to the re-occurrence of graffiti. • Graffiti may be removed by several methods such as covering with paint, washing with solvents, or spraying with high pressure water. Other new processes used to prevent and remove graffiti are being developed. One process involves the use of recycled plastic fencing that reacts to commercial solvents, allowing the graffiti to wash off easily. Another process involves a non-stick graffiti coating that is water based and causes sprayed paint to bead up, making it an effective barrier against graffiti. Still another process uses a wax-like coating over freshly painted surfaces. When graffiti appears, it is easily removed, and the surface is recoated for continued protection. Increasing overall lighting of an area discourages vandals. The installation of motion sensor lights or sprinklers in high out-of-reach areas also deters graffiti.
Partnerships with local paint supply stores to provide discounts and colour-match paints to persons or business who fall victim to graffiti	Operating under the City’s Board of Public Works, Operation Clean Sweep provides materials and supplies to community organizations and volunteer groups wanting to clean up their neighborhoods. The Paint Bank allows community organizations and volunteers to obtain paint for graffiti removal projects. Commercial establishments may obtain paint from their local City Council office by addressing requests to the City Council, Los Angeles City Hall East, 200 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-4801 or communicating directly with their respective Council member's office.					The parking deck mural project has received donations for paint and other supplies from businesses and residents.	No - but City has paint-matching service, free paint and access to paint sprayer available through Graffiti Busters program.  [see below]
Free year round graffiti removal services	On line form to request removal http://www.lacity.org/bpw/ocs/grsr.htm	The Mayor's Paint Program CAU is responsible for administering the Mayor's Paint Program. This program was started in November of 1996. This program allows community and volunteer groups to plan and execute their own cleanup projects with supplies and paint provided by The Mayor’s Office. Anti-Graffiti Task Force Paint Program CAU is actively involved in carrying forward the Mayor’s city and borough-wide initiatives to address the larger issues affecting communities.	Graffiti Abatement Teams The City of Philadelphia Graffiti Abatement Teams will provide community organizations, businesses and homeowners with free power-wash services to combat graffiti vandalism from their respective properties and neighborhood. To request a release form for this service to your home or community, please call the anti-graffiti hotline.                                                                             Paint Voucher Program The City of Philadelphia Managing Director's office will provide free paint and supplies to businesses, homeowners and organized community groups to remove graffiti from painted surfaces. To receive a paint and supply voucher application, please call (215) 686-2024 or the anti-graffiti hotline				Graffiti Busters crews remove graffiti reported through the hotline and also coordinate with other public and private agencies to remove graffiti. The Graffiti Busters remove graffiti for free, but need a written, signed Graffiti Busters permission slip from the property owner or other responsible party. Any neighbourhood group or Block Watch listed with the Neighbourhood Services Department may receive paint, and borrow supplies and clean-up tools to improve their neighborhood. available tools: paint rollers, brushes, wire brushes with scrapers, buckets, hedge shears, hoes, ladders (three-step), loppers, weed eaters, pole trimmers, rakes, shovels, brooms, water coolers and wheelbarrows. Garbage bags and gloves also are available. NB: Graffiti Busters has a paint sprayer available for loan to any neighbourhood group who has a member that is certified with the program. Residents of a neighborhood group interested in borrowing the equipment must attend a free training session to become certified.
Public Education Campaigns	Cleaning LA one neighbourhoud at a time					To date, over 2,000 school children have created tiles and received education on graffiti vandalism and community pride. Community members have also gotten involved painting and creating their own tiles.	Outreach at schools. Free Paint Sprayer Training: Graffiti Busters has a paint sprayer available for loan to any neighborhood group who has a member that is certified with the program. Residents of a neighborhood group interested in borrowing the equipment must attend a free training session to become certified.
Ongoing volunteer programs	Volunteer patrols help support maintenance, and publicity helps protect areas from future deterioration.            Community groups working with law enforcement, public works, or parks and recreation staff clean up public areas and abandoned lots. The project may reclaim a public space for neighborhood use, establish new green space, or mark neighborhood boundaries.   The Los Angeles Police Department also works with community based organizations such as Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) to abate graffiti in Los Angeles. Graffiti is removed through paint-outs, sandblasting and chemical removal. Community based contractors also take a comprehensive approach and assist in preventing graffiti through gang intervention programs, parental involvement, court referrals and mural painting. "UNTAG" your neighborhood: Uniting Neighbors to Abolish Graffiti, is getting its start at an Anti-Graffiti DAY OF ACTION  making lists of tagged locations. Opportunity to paint out some graffiti, and signups for an upcoming graffiti paint-out training where neighbors will be certified and will receive free paint.		The Mural Arts Program is always seeking dedicated individuals to volunteer their time. If you have a few hours on a consistent basis or if you only have time to help with an event once in a while, we could use your help. Opportunities exist for artists (great learning experience and way of gaining solid mural-making experience), office assistants, and event assistants.	The Graffiti Wipe Outs drew 1,500 volunteers to clean up over 200 graffiti sites and cover over 50,000 square feet of graffiti. These events were featured on the Dallas Morning news, ABC, NBC, Fox, and Telemundo. Graffiti education also made its way into nine schools. And today, the City Council is considering a $175,000 budget to operate the new program, graffiti has been reduced, and volunteers are continuing to wipe out graffiti.			Make A Difference is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that mobilizes volunteers, develops and manages innovative programs and cultivates service leaders to create strong and vibrant communities. On the Make A Difference website you can sign up for volunteer projects, such as graffiti removal or paint-overs, in your neighbourhood: http://www.makeadifference.org/
Designated spaces for graffiti art and murals			Mural Arts Program The Mural Arts Program has established a partnership with communities throughout Philadelphia to create more than 1,800 murals and provide artistic opportunities for youth. If you are interested in having a mural created in your neighborhood or would like to volunteer your artistic talents in designing murals, please call the Mural Arts Program at (215) 683-3689.                      Urban Artscape Urban Artscape is a program that combines daily art classes with mandatory community service programs. Artscape offers youth the chance to participate in visual, creative and performing arts. Artscape is designed as an after school program that allows economically disadvantaged youths a chance to explore their artistic talent. For more information, please call (215) 685-3956.			A public wary of using parking decks littered with graffiti was the impetus for a mural project spearheaded by the City of Wilmington and Celebrate the Arts. The result is no new graffiti on the mural walls and occupancy of the parking deck has increased by 10% and growing. The mural, made from a mixed medium of paint, crushed tile mosaic, and clay tiles, is called "Layers of Wilmington," with each deck representing a different layer of Wilmington and what makes it a special place to live. With a budget of just $1,500, the parking deck mural project has received donations for paint and other supplies from businesses and residents.
Comprehensive Graffiti By-laws	Ordinance #165152 which declares it unlawful for an owner or person in control of a building or structure to permit the accumulation of trash, debris, vehicle parts, rubbish, excessive vegetation or other nuisance on or surrounding the owner’s property. It is also unlawful for the owner or person in control to allow any graffiti to exist on a building or fence that is visible from a street or public alley.	LAWS TO COMBAT GRAFFITI NEW YORK CITY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SECTION 10-117 Subdivision: The New York State Penal Law sections 145.00, 145.05, 145.10, and Criminal Mischief, may also be charged against someone making graffiti. Criminal Mischief depends on the dollar value of the property damaged. Fourth Degree is Class A misdemeanor. Third Degree is Class E felony. Damaging property valued at more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Second Degree is Class D felony. Damaging property valued at more than fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500). Additionally, other laws providing for parental liability for the malicious acts of their children may also be used to combat graffiti					Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance Article 2. Maintenance Standards. Sec. 39-10. Graffiti Prevention, Prohibition and Removal - SUMMARY A. Goal of ordinance: to provide a procedure for the prohibition and removal of graffiti B. The property owner shall maintain the property free of graffiti.  Failure to remove graffiti will result a Notice of Violation (NOV), providing a maximum of 10 days to abate the graffiti.  If the owner fails to do so, the City shall abate the graffiti and bill the owner for the costs. C. (1) No person shall place or cause or permit graffiti to be placed on property, private or public. (2) No person may possess aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped indelible marker or etching solution with the intention to violate C(1). (3) No person may posses aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped marker or etching solution on any private property without the owner's consent. (6) Violation of C (1), (2), or (3): not less than 48 hours in jail AND not less than 80 hours of community service.
City By-Laws restricting the sale of associated graffiti products to persons under the age of eighteen		NEW YORK CITY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SECTION 10-117 Subdivision: (c) restricts the sale of these items to persons under eighteen years of age (d) prohibits sellers of aerosol spray paint and indelible markers from displaying these items in their stores. (Only facsimiles which do not contain paint, ink or etching acids may be displayed.)                                          Violations of subdivisions (c) and (d) are punishable by civil penalties of up to five hundred dollars ($500).					Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance Article 2. Maintenance Standards. Sec. 39-10. Graffiti Prevention, Prohibition and Removal - SUMMARY C (4) No person under 18 may posses aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped marker or etching solution unless accompanied by an adult and such possession is lawful. (5) Aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped marker or etching solution shall not be sold to any person under 18, nor shall any person under 18 posses these. (6) Violation C(5): fine not less than $500. Violation C(4): see Title 8, Arizona Revised Statues D. Aerosol spray paint, broad-tipped indelible marker or etching solution shall not be displayed where they are accessible to the public without employee assistance.  Violation: fine not less than $500.
Graffiti Conviction	Graffiti & Illegal Dumping Apprehension Reward:  The City of Los Angeles offers a reward for information resulting in the identification, apprehension and conviction or final adjudication of persons committing the act of graffiti vandalism or illegal dumping. You must have been involved in the conviction or final adjudication in order to qualify for this reward. The total sum of $1,000 will be paid in total to those person(s) identified as having submitted information relative to identifying, in whole or in part, those responsible for the act of graffiti or illegal dumping.	GRAFFITI IS A CRIME Graffiti vandalism is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine, and/or community service. Any person caught defacing property without the express permission of the owner will be arrested.			since Together Against Graffiti has been in operation there has been a 97% reduction in graffiti and 40 graffiti arrests		See Graffiti Bylaws.  Also, the state of Arizona suspends and/or revokes the driver's licences of young graffiti offenders.  Their parents can be fined up to $10,000   http://phoenix.gov//11/m-news.html Maricopa County: Convicted graffiti vandals can receive over three years in prison, loss of their driver's license or ability to get a license until they are 18, and can be ordered to pay full restitution to victims. Additionally, courts may impose fines up to $150,000, and minor vandal's parents may be held liable up to $10,000. http://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/SpecPros/graffiti.asp
Coordinated enforcement plans between City Departments (Public Works, Police Services, Property Standards, etc.)	Since 1990, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in an effort to combat graffiti, implemented the Police Assisted Community Enhancement Program (PACE) which coordinates other City agencies to alleviate adverse conditions affecting the quality of life in neighborhoods citywide.  Public works agencies, such as the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works, can supply equipment and staff for larger projects, while landscaping firms or other businesses can donate supplies and plants. Publicity and coordination with other police-advised beautification projects help enhance the success of such efforts.						(602) 262-7327 - special Police Department graffiti hotline. If you believe you can provide information leading to the arrest of a graffiti vandal, call this number to make a report. You don't have to give your name or other identification, and you could receive an award up to $250. http://phoenix.gov/POLICE/graffi1.html