Facts and Statistics
Graffiti Costs
The United States of America spends over $12 billion dollars on graffiti removal per year. The City spends over $500,000 a year on graffiti removal.
Graffiti Reports
The City of Santa Clarita receives numerous reports of graffiti every day via the hotline and e-service requests. City staff remove graffiti within 24 hours of when a work order is received.
Quick Fact: Last year, the graffiti removal staff removed over 5,500 incidents of graffiti.
Graffiti Arrests
- In 2006, over 100 youth and adults have been arrested for graffiti vandalism.
- In 2007, that number increased to over 150 arrests.
KHTS staff observed four teens tagging in the wash on Soledad Canyon Road and Camp Plenty Road. The COBRA Unit from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station was able to catch all four teens, based on the information provided by KHTS. Two of the teens were arrested on graffiti vandalism charges and the other two were identified and will be charged in the future for acting as the lookouts. Their ages ranged from 11 to 16.
The COBRA Unit from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station identified a group of "taggers" responsible for over $1,000,000 in damages throughout the State of California including the City of Santa Clarita and Las Vegas, Nevada. On Thursday, March 15, a Graffiti Detective from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station along with a Graffiti Detective from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station coordinated a sting operation which led to the arrest of three "taggers" from a well-known crew. Due to the work of the two detectives these taggers are currently serving 16 months in a state Prison.
Staff Information
The City of Santa Clarita currently employs one full time Graffiti Removal Coordinator, one full-time Program Specialist, a Graffiti Tracker who checks the hotline, E-Service requests, and inputs all of the tracking information to apprehend vandals, and four part time graffiti removal staff members.
Los Angeles County
The City meets regularly with Los Angeles County staff to join forces in the fight against graffiti. The City and County are currently working together to ensure that graffiti is removed in a timely manner in the many unincorporated areas of the Santa Clarita Valley.Equipment Used to Remove Graffiti
The City of Santa Clarita recently purchased two new trucks and two pressure washers to remove graffiti within City limits. The new 3500 Series GMC Sierra trucks allow staff to carry more equipment and supplies and tow larger pressure washers, increasing the efficiency of the graffiti removal program.
The laptops allow staff to access the graffiti database while in the field. They are able to enter new work orders and update old work orders efficiently.
The GPS units track exact locations of graffiti, which is helpful in identifying trends and hot spots. It also makes it easier to locate graffiti in areas without an address.
The digital cameras also allow staff to upload the pictures into the database immediately.
Methods of Removal
Baking soda is used in coordination with the pressure washers to blast graffiti off of unpainted hard surfaces. Painting is another method commonly used in abatement of graffiti. Staff also utilizes two airless paint sprayers, a generator, 3 colors of paint, and environmentally friendly chemicals to assist in the removal of graffiti. Graffiti wipes are used on smooth surfaces such as utility poles and electrical boxes.Outreach
The City conducts an Outreach Program to local elementary, junior and high school students to educate youth about the repercussions for graffiti vandalism, to inspire them to take pride in their city, and also to inform them about the City’s reward program. This comprehensive outreach program also includes an educational component for parents – informing them about the signs of a "tagger" and what to do if they suspect their child may be a "tagger."Database
A tracking database is used by all City divisions. Staff enters graffiti removal requests, track removal progress, and upload photos into the database. The COBRA Unit from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station is also able to access to the graffiti database. This centralized data-base is an important tool for assessing graffiti restitution costs, tracking graffiti trends, arresting graffiti vandals, and tracking removal costs city-wide by each division. The database has been extremely instrumental in providing evidence to local law enforcement for arrests and convictions.
Quick Fact: The Graffiti Tracking Database was awarded the 2007 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence Grand Prize for Internal Administraton by the League of California Cities.
Surveillance
The City of Santa Clarita utilizes surveillance equipment to monitor taggers and graffiti incidents throughout the City of Santa Clarita. Many taggers have been arrested and convicted based on information provided by the surveillance equipment.
Community Meetings
Community meetings are held in graffiti "hot spot" neighborhoods several times a year. Residents and business owners are informed about the hotline, rewards program and how to get involved in graffiti clean-up projects. Businesses are also encouraged to take pro-active steps to prevent graffiti such as by planting vines on walls or installing cameras or graffiti proof surfacing on windows. Request a presentation.
How to Report Graffiti
- Call 25-CLEAN (252-5326) or use our E-Service online request form.
- There is a Spanish-speaking option available on the graffiti hotline.
- Graffiti incidents outside of the City’s jurisdiction are forwarded to appropriate agencies.