Dover Street Civic Association

How To Stop Graffiti

TIP: Stop Graffiti...

Here are some simple ideas to help you stop graffiti!
Graffiti affects property values, quality of life, and damages a communities’ reputation for livability.

When graffiti is allowed to remain, it invites more graffiti.
The following ideas can remove Graffiti quickly and eventually prevent it altogether:
1. Report all graffiti incidents to local law enforcement and make a police report.
 2.Use the community website to solicit graffiti removal volunteers - Perhaps call it a "Graffiti Response Team.

3. Remove Graffiti within 24 hours.  Studies show that if graffiti is removed within 24 hours the chance of reoccurrence is very low.
4. Setup an email blast to all Graffiti removal volunteers whenever Graffiti is reported. ( Premium Only)
5. Prominently display the city's' anti-graffiti hotline phone number on the website.
6. Post the city's compensation policy -- Many cities will help pay for part/all of the cost of removing Graffiti. Some will supply the cleaning products themselves.
7. Research the different cleaning products that can be used on surfaces.. Some solvents may permanently stain if not used correctly. (Historic buildings may need special care.)
8. Warn your neighbors that if they see graffiti vandalism in progress, call 9-1-1! Warn everyone not to take the law into their own hands.