Your Graffiti Reminder
Graffiti is a nuisance. Left unattended, graffiti lowers property values, encourages more graffiti, can announce gang activity, and increases other criminal activity.
Graffiti removal is governed by ordinance. In 2005 the City Council created a task force that resulted in the current graffiti ordinance. This ordinance places the primary responsibility for graffiti removal on the owner of the property vandalized by the graffiti. Administrative enforcement fees attach to property in which the owner fails to remove graffiti. If a property owner fails to remove graffiti on his/her property, the city may initiate steps to abate the graffiti and recover all abatement costs from the property owners. This applies to both real and personal property. Perpetrators of graffiti, as well as property owners on rare occasions, may also be cited for violations of the graffiti code. Fines and other sanctions may be imposed by the circuit court upon conviction. The parents of juvenile violators may also be held financially responsible for the unlawful graffiti of their children.
Graffiti reporting is important. If you discover your neighbor has been vandalized by graffiti, please immediately give him a courtesy call to make him aware of the graffiti. If you are a victim of graffiti, please report the incident to the police non-emergency number (503) 823-3333. Take a picture of the graffiti (dating it) and then paint over it immediately.
Unattended graffiti can be reported to code enforcement at (503) 618-3089.The Graffiti Hotline in now an information only resource. We strongly encourage you to report the graffiti vandalism of your property to the non-emergency number listed above, as it is the only way to document the number and location of incidents. This is important information in trying to manage the graffiti problem.
Graffiti cleanup needs you!