Graffiti and its Affects
The graffiti vandal’s objective is to have others see his/her “tag” name. They are drawn to walls that are not clean because it means more people will see their “tag” longer.
Graffiti is a crime. It is costly and destructive and sends a message that the community is not concerned about the appearance of its neighborhoods. It generates neighborhood fear, causes instability, signals an increase in crime, lowers property values, hurts business revenue, is economically detrimental to the City, and is a sign of urban decay.
By covering the graffiti as soon as possible, you rob the vandal of the effort and time it took to do the tag, and most likely they will move on to another location. You can prevent your property from becoming a “know tag site” by removing graffiti immediately.
Anti-Graffiti Ordinance Passed
To combat the presence of graffiti in Tacoma, the City Council passed an ordinance that became effective December 20, 1999 making graffiti illegal in Tacoma. The ordinance calls out specific enforcement actions for compliance by the property owner or responsible party. No provision is made for graffiti removal assistance. Ordinance 26395 stipulates:
• Bans the possession of pressurized containers and wide tip markers (4 mm in width – approx. 1¼ inch), by persons less than 18 years of age.
• Makes graffiti vandalism a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 in fines, or up to one-year imprisonment or both.
• Graffiti to be removed from public property within 10 days of notice.
• Graffiti to be removed from private property within 10 days of notice of property being determined a potential Graffiti Nuisance Property, requires a civil penalty of $250 per day if not abated within 10 days (court action may also be taken).
• An appeals process through City's Hearing Examiner.
• City may remove graffiti from premises (public or private) with permission of the party responsible for the property.
• City can bill the owner for the cost of removal.
A Special Message for Retailers
The Ordinance requires you to check ID on sales of pressurized containers and wide tip markers (4 mm in width – approximately 1-¼ inch) with fines up to $1,000 or 90 days imprisonment or both for selling to minors for each occurrence.
What If your property gets hit by graffiti?
First, call the police non-emergency number 798-4721 (choose option 1) to report the crime, and then get a picture of it so it’s available if they need it to document the case. Be sure to contact your insurance agent as this may help in their investigations as well.
Donated paint may be obtained at no cost to community groups, low-income individuals and businesses for painting out graffiti. Call Community Service by Youth at 798-7986 to arrange a convenient time for pickup. Only neutral colors are available.
Graffiti paint-over service is offered at no charge to commercial property in and around City of Tacoma Neighborhood Business Districts. Call Community Service by Youth at 798-7986 to see if this service is available to you.
The Community Council of Tacoma has limited colors of FREE paint offered to low- income elderly or disabled residential property owners. Please call Fred Brookshire at 474-5334 to see if paint is available and to arrange receiving this paint if you qualify.
Money for larger community wide graffiti removal projects may be available through the Innovative Grant Program. Call the City of Tacoma Neighborhood Council Office at 591-5229 for information on how the program works.
How Do I Cover Over Graffiti on Painted Surfaces?
Latex paint is safe and easy to clean up. Donated paint (neutral colors only) may be available as noted above. Below are some examples of what you will need.
• Inexpensive brushes, roller frames and covers, cleanup rags and paint scraping tools.
• If using rollers: roller tray or roller screen for buckets.
• Absorbent ground cover: old sheets and towels, cardboard, newspaper.
• Wear old clothes, gloves, hat, and eye protection.
It’s very frustrating to paint over graffiti only to have your property vandalized again. Here are three methods to remove graffiti that will discourage further vandalism.
1. Paint the entire wall: Don’t just paint out graffiti by patching over it. Repaint the entire wall or up 7 feet (making a straight line across the top with a similar color). By using this method, there’s no trace of the graffiti to draw the attention of vandals. Painting the entire wall is 10 times more effective than patching.
2. Paint in patches: When it is not possible to paint the entire wall, use a closely matched color and paint over the graffiti in neat rectangles. The closer the color match, the more effective it is in preventing further vandalism.
3. If the building is masonry and designated historic or is in a historic area, please call the Tacoma Historic Preservation Office at 591-5220 to receive information on how to remove the graffiti without damaging the aesthetics of the building.
Important:
Don't paint over graffiti on unpainted stone or brick, glass, metal or wood it could damage the long-term value of the property. Instead apply a sealer that repels paint. Look under graffiti removal, pressure washing or painting supplies in the Yellow Pages for professional application or cleaning of these surfaces.
Cleaning Up After a Paint-out
• Seal all leftover paint in secure containers and note color.
• Leave roller screens in buckets.
• Wash brushes and roller frames -avoid washing used roller covers, this wastes water.
• Scrape excess paint from roller covers back into paint can.
• Roller covers can be reused later, seal then in a plastic bag, no need to wash them.
• To dispose of used roller covers, let air dry until paint is hard, and then place in trash.
Key Points to Remember!
• Never throw paint or paint-contaminated water down a storm drain or onto the ground.
• Always clean brushes and equipment in a sink or drain in your home where it can go through a sewage treatment plant.
• For small amounts of paint left in cans, leave uncovered (or mix in clean cat litter) in a safe place away from children and pets until paint dries and hardens. Dispose of dried paint cans (lids off) in the trash.
• Always use latex paint it’s safer for the environment. If you are using oil based paint dispose of it by taking it to the hazardous waste station of the landfill. Call the City of Tacoma Landfill at 591-5543 if you have any questions regarding disposal.
Ways to Take Control of Graffiti in Your Area:
• Obtain permission from property owners before painting over graffiti.
• Ask property owner for matching color paint or use neutral colors like gray, white or beige.
• Clean all surfaces to be painted. For better results, remove any oil, mildew or blistering paint.
• Protect the ground by placing a drop cloth or cardboard under the surface you are painting.
• Square up your work. Painting rectangles over the graffiti makes the paint-out less noticeable. Clean up drips and spills before moving on to the next site.
Volunteer to paint over graffiti on private property or organize a graffiti paint-out in your neighborhood. Call Safe Streets at 272-6824 for information.
If you see graffiti in progress call 911, or to report graffiti as a crime on your property call Police-Sheriff at 798-4721 and choose option 1. Otherwise report graffiti to Tacoma CARES at 591-5001 and a letter will be sent out requiring it to be removed by the property owner. Be sure to provide the address of the building and identify whether the building is vacant. For street signs, retaining walls, poles, traffic control boxes, bridges, mailboxes, etc., identify the nearest cross streets.
Special Note:
Most public property requires special care to remove graffiti. Attempts to remove it by well-meaning volunteers may result in more damage to the property or hamper emergency worker’s efforts to use equipment such as signal boxes and fire hydrants. Please do not clean up graffiti on public property! Instead, write down its exact location and report it to Tacoma CARES at 591-5001.
Important Phone Numbers to Remember!
(All numbers 253 prefix)
Graffiti is a Crime
To report graffiti in progress: 911
To report graffiti as a crime on your property call the Police: 798-4721 (Choose option 1)
For assistance in removing graffiti: Safe Streets Info Line: 272-6824
(To organize community paint-out)
Neighborhood Council Innovative Grant Program: 591-5229
Community Service by Youth: 798-7986
(Donated paint to groups/merchants/low income)
To Report Graffiti
Graffiti on public or private property within the City of Tacoma: 591-5001
Graffiti on buses and bus shelters: 581-8050
Tacoma Housing Authority (Salishan Housing Development): 207-4455
If the building is masonry and designated historic or in a historic area: Historic Preservation Office: 591-5220
For information on paint disposal, City of Tacoma Landfill: 591-5543
City of Tacoma
Public Works Department
Building and Land Uses Services
747 Market Street
Tacoma, WA 98402-3769