Graffiti Eradication

Hotline for reporting

(530) 245-6211

What is graffiti? 

Graffiti is the willful defacement of someone else's property by writing words or drawing with any marking substance.  Graffiti can be placed on any surface including walls, fences, rocks, trees, mail and news boxes, sidewalks, roadways, windows, and equipment covers.

Why should you care?

Graffiti is a crime and the incidence of this crime is increasing nationwide.  Graffiti invites other types of vandalism and crime, including gang violence.  It is one of the ways that gangs mark their territory.   The presence of graffiti suggests that the city doesn't care about or cannot cope with it.  Graffiti gives the impression that a city isn't safe and this can drive people away.  Areas filled with graffiti are less appealing to those who may be looking to buy or rent property.  Properties in graffiti ridden neighborhoods become more difficult to sell and their values are reduced.  Private property owners and public agencies spend thousands of dollars every year cleaning up graffiti.  This is money that could have been spent on education or saved.  Graffiti costs the community its reputation, its safety, and its financial resources. 

What is the Graffiti Eradication Program?  

The Graffiti Eradication Program is a police-based crime prevention program designed to reduce incidents of graffiti, vandalism, and gang activity and prevent the negative impact that this crime has on the community. 

A leading motivating factor for graffiti vandals is notoriety.  By removing graffiti as quickly as it appears, vandals are unable to achieve recognition from their peers.  If left unchallenged, however, graffiti encourages other crimes and encroaches on the safety and well-being of our community. 

The Graffiti Eradication Program is based on the 3R's approach:  recognize, report, and remove.  Residents are asked to recognize that graffiti is a crime, and to report graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline (245-6211) so the police can remove the vandalism immediately following its appearance.

How can you prevent graffiti? 

Your involvement is required to proactively fight this crime.  There are several steps you can take to help prevent graffiti: 

• 1. If your property becomes the target of graffiti vandalism you may remove the graffiti yourself or call 245-6211 and officers will come out to remove it for you.
• 2. Report and remove graffiti as soon as it appears. Rapid removal of the vandalism will prevent the offender from achieving recognition from other "taggers."
• 3. Ensure your property always looks occupied. Lock all doors and exterior gates and ensure there is good lighting around the property.
• 4. Start or participate in a Neighborhood Watch program.
• 5. Where possible remove objects that can be used to access target areas such as roofs and eliminate tempting areas such as walls and fences by landscaping them with bushes and trees. Studies show that graffiti and litter are less common in areas that have been landscaped.
• 6. Cover walls with anti-graffiti coatings.
• 7. Do not glorify graffiti by using graffiti images in advertizing or displays.
• 8. If you sell products that could be used for graffiti (such as spray paint) be careful how you display the products.

In Shasta County the Redding Police Department, North Valley School, the Youth Violence Prevention Council, and several other non-profits, work together to eradicate graffiti.  There is an on-going need for paint to cover up graffiti and other supplies.  Donations can be made to Youth Violence Prevention Council by calling 244-7194.