Graffiti Reporting, Information, Prevention
& Abatement Ordinance

Graffiti Reporting

City of Santa Barbara
Graffiti Abatement Hotline
897-2513

On-Line Reporting SantaBarbaraCA.Gov/Graffiti

Information about Graffiti
Vandalism vs. Art

When somebody paints, marks or draws on a surface that they do not own and do not have permission from the owner of the property or building, it is considered vandalism.

People often associate graffiti with unreadable, unattractive markings and forget that even if graffiti is an “artistic” looking drawing, it is still vandalism.

How Does Graffiti Hurt?

Property Value - According to the National Association of Realtors, properties located in neighborhoods where there is graffiti vandalism lose 15% of their value.

Safety

Patrons of buildings, parks, or public facilities where graffiti vandalism has occurred may feel that if graffiti is tolerated, then more serious crimes, such as theft and assault, may also go unchallenged.

Remove Graffiti Promptly – Rapid removal is an effective prevention tool.  Data shows that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of recurrence.

Encourage Citizen Reporting – Through resident reporting to the Graffiti Hotline with as specific information as possible, graffiti removal is able to occur in a more timely matter.

Provide Alternatives – The Institute for Law and Justice, Inc. manual on safe neighborhoods suggests diverting graffiti criminals to positive alternatives.  Throughout the City, youth have opportunities to participate in Teen Center programs, school clubs and the Boys and Girls Club.

Graffiti Prevention Tips for Businesses

Graffiti contributes to reduced retail sales, a decline in property values, and citizen fear.  A business littered with graffiti is less likely to be patronized.  Citizens feel less safe and secure entering a storefront where graffiti is present.  The following are steps to take and aid in the prevention of graffiti:

·        Ongoing upkeep.

·        Rapid removal.

·        Control access.

·        Incorporate shrubs, thorny plants, & vines to restrict vandal access.

·        Add or improve lighting around the building to promote natural surveillance.

·        Use fences, controlled entrance and exits and other barriers that discourage through traffic.

·        Limit access to roofs by moving dumpsters away from walls and covering drainpipes to prevent vandals from scaling them.

·        Set up security.

·        Organize a “Business Watch” with nearby merchants to keep tabs on a business area.

·        Employ graffiti-resistant materials or coating on a chronically hit wall.

·        Work with the community.

·        Refrain from using graffiti images in ads or promoting graffiti in any way.

·        Print graffiti prevention messages on bags, sales flyers, tray liners, book covers, calendars, and other promotional items.

Clean-Up Cost

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “an estimated $12 billion a year is spent cleaning up graffiti in the United States.”  Additionally, thousands of local City of Santa Barbara dollars are spent on clean-up when they could be put towards such things as educational programs and services for the community.

Gangs & “Taggers” - Graffiti does not necessarily mean that gangs are in your neighborhood.  A large portion of graffiti in Santa Barbara is done by “taggers” that write their names their peers will see it and they will gain recognition.  “Taggers” vandalize all parts of the city and are not necessarily tied to a specific neighborhood.  “Taggers” thrive on placing their tag name on as many dangerous places as possible.  They gain more notoriety the longer the tag is “up”, therefore QUICK removal of graffiti is important because it discourages more tagging.

Graffiti Prevention

Keep Up the Neighborhood – Make every effort to keep the appearance of a neighborhood clean and neat.  Remove litter and trash, fix broken fences, trim landscaping, and ensure all lighting is working properly.  Exterior appearances that suggest apathy and neglect attract vandals.

Tips for Parents on Preventing, Reducing & Talking to Kids about Graffiti

1)   Talk to your child about what graffiti is and why it hurts our community.  Graffiti is the deliberate defacing of public or private property without the owner’s permission.  Misleading terms like “graffiti art” or “artist” are often used, but even if the “tagging” has an artistic quality, it is still vandalism and against the law.  Graffiti sends a message that nobody cares about the area or structures that have been “tagged” and invites littering, illegal dumping and more serious crimes.  Public funds that could be spent on other programs and services are spent on graffiti removal.  Graffiti also reduces property values and hinders business where it is present.

2) Read the book (or have an older sibling read), Graffiti in Tahiti to your child.  This book is a fun and interactive way to start dialogue with children ages 6-10 about graffiti and community service.  Copies of the book are available at the public library and school libraries or for purchase at www.anomicsolutions.com.

3) Pay attention to any sketchbooks with “tags” depicted.  Kids that do graffiti like to sketch and practice their moniker (“tag”).  Implements such as large markers, oil pens, spray paint and stickers with a “tag” are commonly used for graffiti and may be a sign that your child is involved in graffiti vandalism.  If you suspect that your child is involved, you can contact their school or the SBPD School Resource Officer for assistance.

4) Make a game of counting “graffiti” tags (big and small) when you are around town.  You will be surprised by just how many you see and it is a good time to talk to your child about the issues surrounding graffiti and how big the problem is.

5) Program the Graffiti Hotline number 897-2513 into your cell phone and make reports when you see graffiti.  Work as a team with your child to be part of the solution.  Reports may also be made online at www.santabarbaraca.gov/graffiti/

6) Contact Looking Good Santa Barbara at 897-2526 for a free graffiti removal kit you can use with your child to remove graffiti throughout your neighborhood.

City of Santa Barbara Graffiti Abatement Ordinance

In an effort to have graffiti removed throughout the city in a timely manner, the Santa Barbara City Council adopted a graffiti abatement ordinance and an official abatement may want to employ security program in 2005.  The ordinance requires graffiti on private property to be removed within three days of notice.  If graffiti is not removed within the three days, city staff may then remove it at cost to the owner.  For more details, see the official Graffiti Abatement Ordinance.