Summary:
Preventing and Reacting to Graffiti
Graffiti is a crime that hurts not just the property owner but the entire community.
Graffiti is a crime. It is destructive, unwanted, offensive, ugly and expensive to remove. Residents become uncomfortable and fearful in their own neighborhoods because they are the victims of the crime of vandalism. Graffiti invites other illegal acts - it tells criminals that crimes like burglary or assault may not be challenged. Property values fall and no one wants to purchase a home or business where graffiti scars the neighborhood. Retail businesses lose sales. It is a black eye to our community.
Government and law enforcement efforts alone will not solve the problem. Property owners must remove the graffiti immediately after the Police document it. Your eyes and your quick action are critical to the success of any anti-graffiti program by immediately reporting it. Community involvement, education and beautification efforts are key components to reducing and preventing graffiti.
If there is one thing you should know about graffiti, it is this: Graffiti is used by vandals to gain recognition. The longer the graffiti remains, the more recognition the criminals get. This is why the best action is to remove the graffiti as soon as possible after police document it.
WHY GRAFFITI SHOULD BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY
(Graffiti has been altered to avoid giving the vandals further recognition.)
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This graffiti was not removed as soon as it was discovered... |
...resulting in a proliferation of the vandalism within days. |
REPORT IT - RECORD IT - REMOVE IT!
REPORT IT
The process that Prince William County has adopted for dealing with graffiti is for anyone who spots it, to report it at the online Graffiti Reporting Form. If you do not have access to a computer, please phone the information to Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018. Staff will complete the online form for you. If you own the property that was vandalized, call the Police non-emergency number at 703-792-6500 and after the crime is investigated, remove the graffiti.
RECORD IT
When you hit the "submit" button on the Graffiti Reporting Form, an email is simultaneously sent to PWC Neighborhood Services and to PWC Police. Neighborhood Services will notify the owner/occupant that it is their responsibility to remove or cover the graffiti. Notification is in the form of a violation notice posted prominently on the property and mailed to the owner and the occupant. Police investigation may include photographing the graffiti and gathering evidence such as empty spray paint cans.
REMOVE IT
The property owner must remove the graffiti. Studies indicate that quick removal is the best deterrent to graffiti. Be persistent, too. Research has shown it takes an average of three times before vandals get discouraged. Removal is easier if you know the correct treatments for different surfaces. "Responding to Graffiti" may help you pick the best solution.
"The longer the graffiti remains, the quicker it comes back."
RETURN TO TOP
If the property owner does not remove or cover the graffiti within seven days of the date of legal notification by Neighborhood Services, the County or its Graffiti Abatement Program volunteers are allowed to enter the private property to remove or cover the graffiti. This will be done using the most cost-effective means available. While the utmost care will be taken in removing graffiti, do not expect paint colors to match and know that power washing may alter surfaces. Because the County cannot be held liable for any damage done to surfaces, it is best if the property owner removes the graffiti.
Volunteers are needed to help educate property owners and to remove graffiti. Both the Prince William Clean Community Council and Neighborhood Services' Graffiti Abatement Program volunteers are actively soliciting business partners who will donate paint, painting supplies, power washers or free rentals. Please return to this site in the future for updates on these programs.
PREVENTING AND REACTING TO GRAFFITI
Areas that are well-lit discourage graffiti. Avoid smooth surfaces which show graffiti better than those that are highly textured, like those covered in lattice or stone. Paint and coatings are available that make it easier to remove graffiti. The most expensive of these coatings actually causes spray paint to run off the surface! Plants can help prevent graffiti in two ways. 1) Plants with thorns or stickers or dense plants like Eastern Red Cedar make it difficult to get to a blank wall to vandalize it. 2) Vines or dense plantings can cover the blank wall making the graffiti hard to see. Our publication, "Graffiti Prevention Strategies," provides details.
If you witness someone in the act of vandalizing a property with graffiti, do not approach the criminals but instead call 9-1-1. As soon as you see graffiti, report it using the online graffiti reporting form. Although the Police Department makes an official determination of whether or not the graffiti is gang-related, the publication "Recognizing Tagger and Gang Graffiti" can help you better understand the source of crimes in your neighborhood. A large percentage of graffiti is not gang related.
"Responding to Graffiti" contains information about removal techniques as well as a list of some of the companies offering discounted power washing to victims of graffiti.
Neighborhood groups are welcome to download and print copies for distribution or use parts or all of the publications in neighborhood newsletters. Questions? Please contact Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018.