Zero tolerance for graffiti vandalism

From City Scene, published on 4 May, 2008

Auckland City Council has a zero-tolerance approach to graffiti vandalism with a strong focus on eradication, prevention and education efforts.

"Graffiti vandalism currently costs the council almost $2 million per year," says chairperson of the council's Community Services Committee, Councillor Paul Goldsmith. "It is a blight on the whole community and we need a solid community effort to stop it," Mr Goldsmith says.

This includes getting people to remove graffiti quickly to prevent further vandalism occurring and reporting graffiti to the council as soon as possible.

Some practical ways to prevent your property being vandalised include planting a hedge or shrubs in front of your fence and using a graffiti prevention product for exposed walls and fences.

As well as working closely with the police and local communities, the council has proposed an additional $200,000 in its draft annual plan towards increased graffiti vandalism surveillance and enforcement measures.

The council is also seeking central government support for stronger measures to catch and prosecute graffiti vandals.

In the 10 months up to 31 March this year, the council's graffiti vandalism eradication contractors removed graffiti from 22,207 sites. In the same period, 232 taggers were either arrested or prosecuted by police.
Auckland City Council supplies 260 litres of paint each month to clean graffiti.

Volunteers take action

Mt Albert resident Barry Dunn.

The council runs two community initiatives to stop graffiti vandalism.

The volunteers against graffiti vandalism programme encourages people to report and remove graffiti, with the council supplying paint and brushes to people who undertake responsibility for keeping specific streets and/or neighbourhoods graffiti free.

The council's graffiti awareness education programme is under way in 61 primary schools. The programme increases children's awareness of the consequences of graffiti and the rewards of keeping their communities free of graffiti, and acts as a deterrent by making children aware that they are accountable for graffiti damage they cause.

Read more or call the council's graffiti adviser on 379 2020.

Pictured: Mt Albert resident Barry Dunn has cleaned between 400 to 500 sites in the four years he has been a volunteer.

Tips for removing graffiti

Graffiti removal.

When removing graffiti from a surface for the first time, it pays to test different products on a small area to make sure the removal method doesn't cause further damage.

You can remove fresh graffiti using methylated spirits, turpentine, paint-stripper, branded graffiti removal products, or oven cleaner. Some chemicals in graffiti removal products can be hazardous, so always wear protective clothing and a mask, and store products
out of children's reach.

Sanding or water blasting can rid unpainted walls and fences of graffiti, while painted surfaces can simply be painted over.

Using darker colours for walls and fences and storing unused paint is a good idea as a single coat is often enough to cover the graffiti.

If a part of your property that is adjacent to the road has graffiti on it, contact us to have it removed.