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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVandalism and Graffiti in the City of Bozeman= Commission Memorandum REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: Brit Fontenot, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: Vandalism and Graffiti in the City of Bozeman MEETING DATE: January 28, 2008 RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Listen to brief presentations regarding vandalism and graffiti from the following staff perspectives: a) Bozeman Police Department b) Parks c) Facilities d) Neighborhoods (2) Consider creating and staffing a Vandalism and Graffiti Task Force consisting of one staff liaison, one representative of the Downtown Partnership, one representative of the Bozeman Police Department, one representative of the local business community, one representative of the INC and one representative of the Bozeman School District to direct and perform public outreach and education, study possible mitigation measures and long- term solutions and make future recommendations to the City Commission. (3) Consider authorizing departmental allocation of funds through the appropriate budgetary process to create and implement an aggressive, city-wide program focusing on deterrents such as cameras and/or the planting of appropriate shrubbery and the purchase of supplies and materials to aid in rapid abatement of vandalism and graffiti in and on public property. BACKGROUND: Vandalism and graffiti continue to cost the taxpayers of Bozeman thousands of dollars a year in repair, abatement costs and FTE time spent repairing, repainting and cleaning public property. Unabated vandalism and graffiti sends a message that the community is not concerned about the appearance of its business districts and neighborhoods. These acts generate neighborhood fear and instability, signal an increase in crime, lower property values, hurt business revenue, are economically detrimental to the City, and are signs of urban decay. In an effort to educate and increase public awareness and support, staff has conducted at least two public service announcements on the effects of vandalism and graffiti in the City of 22 2 Bozeman. Additionally, the City has partnered with the Gallatin Association of Realtors (GAR) to increase exposure and outreach. In the summer of 2007, GAR launched a two-week property crime awareness program which included the production of two, 30-second radio public service announcements designed to raise awareness of this problem. In the spring of 2008, the Downtown Bozeman Partnership will launch a new program called the Downtown Bozeman Graffiti Removal Project to address the growing problem of vandalism, tagging, and graffiti in the Downtown area. Graffiti removal programs have been successfully adopted everywhere from New York City to Portland to Billings. The National Crime Prevention Council reports that studies have determined that if vandalism and graffiti is repaired or removed within 24 – 48 hours, there is little recurrence. This early removal will prevent vandals from receiving the recognition they desire. By repairing vandalism and covering graffiti as soon as possible, the vandal is deprived of the effort and time it took to vandalize or tag property. The Commission has stated, on numerous occasions, that vandalism and graffiti is unacceptable. Through Commission action and commitment to programs focused on deterrent and abatement as well as information, education and outreach the Commission delivers the community-wide message that “vandalism and graffiti will not be tolerated in our City”. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission. FISCAL EFFECTS: Currently undetermined. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ____________________________ Brit Fontenot, Assistant to the City Manager Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager 23 Entire drinking fountain at Bozeman pond was knockedoff the wall. The repairrequired retrofitting newpipes which was very costly.Vault vandalismat East Gallatin Recreation Area24 Here’s an example of what happens in our City’s parks on a regular basis.Vandals set the East Gallatin Park vault toilets on fire 4 times last summer. The last time vandals struck, the heat generated from the firemelted the toilet.25 26 27 28 29 Downtown Bozeman Graffiti Removal Project Downtown Business Improvement District Bozeman Montana Statement of Objective Bozeman is fortunate to have a very vital downtown area, something that seems increasingly rare on the American urban landscape. The rising level of graffiti vandalism in our downtown is an eyesore that threatens the vivacity of downtown and is an affront to our entire community. A recent survey counted over 180 separate tags in the downtown district. The downtown Bozeman graffiti removal project will eliminate the existing graphic vandalism afflicting the historic district in a concerted weekend-long community effort. This graffiti removal project will also serve as the catalyst for the Business Improvement District’s new Graffiti Removal Program, an annually funded program that will clean-up all reoccurring vandalism free of charge. The annual program, beginning in 2008, will operate on the premise that prompt removal of graffiti is the most effective deterrent. Description The majority of the graffiti in downtown Bozeman exists in the alleyways paralleling historic Main Street. Recently, some vandals have tagged the front of Main Street buildings—a disturbing trend. Some instances of graffiti are located on the second level exterior walls of buildings. - 1 - 30 The downtown Bozeman graffiti removal project will dispel the current paradigm that graffiti is apathetically accepted in downtown Bozeman. The project will set a new standard that graphic vandalism will no longer be tolerated, and therefore, systematically removed. This message will be well publicized serving as a part of a larger community education effort. The primary activities of the grant-supported removal project will include: 1) a massive clean-up of existing graffiti from a variety of surfaces; 2) a paint-brush mural on one of Bozeman’s historic buildings; and 3) a media campaign publicizing the graffiti problem and removal project. If awarded, the grant monies will primarily fund the purchase of materials including painting supplies, graffiti cleaning products, and the rental of several pressure washers. The grant would also support any costs associated with advertising the project, although in-kind publicity will be requested. Partnerships The downtown Bozeman Business Improvement District (BID) will be the primary project sponsor. The BID represents the interests of over 150 downtown property owners whose buildings have been vandalized and therefore, enthusiastically support this effort. The BID will seek partnerships with the Montana Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps as the community-base volunteer component of the project. Another exciting partnership will be with Artsplot, an artistic workshop that administers an extensive K-12 art program which would allow the project to involve children of all ages. The project’s government partner will be the City of Bozeman, in particular the - 2 - 31 Department of Planning and Community Development, which will provide a wide-range of assistance. Measurement Digital photos will be taken before and after the removal of each tag to document the project. Subsequent photo documentation will be taken every three months throughout the downtown district. A comprehensive graffiti removal log will document reoccurrences ultimately identifying problem areas. The log will record the number and location of tags, the types of surfaces damaged, the methods of removal, and the hours of labor invested. Communications The downtown Bozeman graffiti removal project will be featured in numerous print publications including: The Bozeman Daily Chronicle (daily circulation 16,000), the Tributary (area alternative paper with a monthly distribution of 7,000 copies), the Big Sky Sun newspaper (weekly circulation 6,000). The project will also be publicized in the Downtown Bozeman Partnership newsletter which is sent to over 500 members of the community. - 3 - 32 EXAMPLES OF GRAFFITI IN DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN MONTANA Multiple-layer of spray paint on brick buildings along an alley - 4 - 33 Typical marker and spray paint tags on metal surfaces in Downtown Bozeman Spray paint tag on concrete surface - 5 - 34 Extensive graffiti on concrete walls of underground parking level - 6 - 35 Downtown Bozeman Partnership Business Improvement District GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM The Graffiti Removal Program is a new initiative of the downtown Business Improvement District [BID] to address the growing problem of vandalism, tagging, and graffiti. Preventing vandalism is difficult at best. The costs associated with patrolling downtown or instituting sophisticated surveillance systems are prohibitive and quite often ineffective. Graffiti removal programs have been successfully adopted everywhere from New York City to Portland to Billings. Initially, the BID Graffiti Removal Project will concentrate on cleaning the existing tags during an organized comprehensive graffiti cleaning event tentatively scheduled for late April or early May of 2008. Once the initial clean-up has been completed, property owners, merchants, and residents may submit a Graffiti Removal Request Form or call the Downtown Bozeman Partnership at 586- 4008 to report new graffiti on their property. The graffiti removal service will be performed by the BID Graffiti Removal Team at no charge within the Business Improvement District. If a particular location is frequently targeted by taggers, the BID encourages property owners, merchants, and residents to remove the graffiti themselves. Possible volunteer resources: members of the downtown community (for the continual small jobs), MSU groups (planned medium sized jobs), Montana Conservation Corps (for a large- scale initial clean-up effort). The most effective way to prevent graffiti is to remove it promptly. While this may be difficult, studies show that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of reoccurrence. All vandalism should be cleaned or covered as soon as possible for several reasons: • Most types of paint and ink are easier to remove when it is fresh. • Immediate removal provides the vandal with little to no exposure time. • While true that the vandalism may reoccur if provided with a clean slate, the constant cost of supplies and risk posed by re-tagging is an important deterrent. Depending on the type of structure, there are generally three methods of removing graffiti: • For painted cinderblock and concrete walls the team will use paint and try to match the existing color as closely as possible. • High-pressure water will be used to clean unpainted porous surfaces such as brick, curbs, sidewalks, and cinderblock. • Chemical removal is used on metal surfaces such as light poles, street signs, traffic control boxes and utility boxes. Graffiti removal work will be done by the BID maintenance staff and volunteers. The BID owns a high-pressure power washer. Supplies [paint, brushes, rollers, solvents, rags] will be provided by the BID and through donations by downtown businesses. 36 Detailed Graffiti Treatment Guidelines Metal Surfaces: • With a rag, emove graffiti with any common paint thinner (ex: mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, acetone), or try graffiti removal products such as "Goof Off." Sometimes wiping the graffiti with light penetrating oil such as "WD-40" or "Three-in-One" will remove it. o Always read product labels and follow all manufacturer instructions and recommendations. Most of the products identified above are flammable. It is recommended that each product is tested on a small, conspicuous spot. • If graffiti remains, try to remove it by rubbing with steel or bronze wool, or light sandpaper. • If graffiti still remains, try power-washing it with a 3000psi pressure washer. • If none of these methods work, paint over the graffiti. Masonry Surfaces: • The best option for this type of surface is to power-wash the graffiti with a 3000psi- pressure washer. Use a tip that will deliver a fan angle of 15-50 degrees. • Sand-blasting is another removal option. As with pressure washing, be careful not to allow the sandblasting tip to remain in one spot too long as it can permanently scar the surface. Keep the tip moving over the painted area and the surrounding area so as to blend in the entire surface. • If power-washing or sand-blasting does not remove the graffiti, the next best option is to paint over the graffiti. Glass Surfaces: • The best method for removing painted graffiti from glass is to use a razor blade to carefully scrape it off. This method is 99% effective. Use the razor blade in a holder and scrape at a 30-degree angle to the glass. • If the paint does not come completely off after using the razor blade, use ultra-fine bronze wool with water to gently rub the remaining paint off. • You can use paint thinners on glass, however the razor blade method is much quicker and more environmentally friendly. Wood Surfaces: • If the wood is not weathered and is sealed with paint, stain or sealer, try to remove it by wiping it with mineral spirits. If the wood is weathered or untreated, do not use this technique, as the mineral spirits will be absorbed by the wood, driving the paint further down into the wood. • Power washing with a 3000psi pressure washer can be used, however, proceed carefully to make sure the pressure is not driving the paint deeper into the wood grain. • If these methods do not work, sand the wood and re-paint or simply paint over the graffiti. 37 Plastic Surfaces: • Try wiping graffiti with a light, penetrating oil such as "WD-40" or "Three-in-One." Do not use paint thinners as they can soften the plastic and can cause clouding (if clear plastic) or permanent tackiness of the surface. • Sometimes a light rubbing with ultra-fine steel or bronze wool will remove the paint. • If these methods don not remove the graffiti, paint over it. Possible material and supplies sources: Charlie Finch Charlie’s Healthie Paints 209-1919 Charlie is putting a “green” protective coat over the Heeb’s mural and supplying Heebs with “green” graffiti cleaning supplies Urban Restoration Group “World’s Best Graffiti Removal System” www.graffitiremovers.biz Adam Kopcho 805-969-2688 For additional information: Graffiti Hurts www.graffitihurts.org/community_resources/removal.cfm National Park Service Graffiti removal guide www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief38.htm Downtown Business Improvement District Chris Naumann, Executive Director 224 East Main Street Bozeman MT 59715 406-586-4008 38