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How to STOP Graffiti Guide
A practical resource for territorial authorities, schools,
businesses and private residents.
Prepared by the Ministry of Justice
Acknowledgements
This publication was developed by the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Justice
through funding provided to the Tag Out Trust, Waitakere City.
The development of the Graffiti Guide was managed by Iris Donoghue from Tag Out
Trust. The Guide was written by Fay Freeman from Freeman Associates Limited with
the illustrations and graphic design provided by Yvette Harris from Elusive Design.
The project team provided invaluable input into the development of the Guide.
Members of the project team were:
Iris Donoghue
Tag Out Trust – Managing Trustee
Graeme Bakker Manukau Beautification Trust – General Manager
Stewart AndrewsAuckland Regional Graffiti Free Project – Project Coordinator
Claire Milne
Christchurch City Council – Community Development Advisor
Jane Cullimore Timaru District Council – Project Manager, Safer Communities
Lesley Daly
Ministry of Justice – Policy Manager, Crime Prevention Unit
Abby Thornley
Ministry of Justice – Community Advisor, Crime Prevention Unit
Marama Paki
Ministry of Justice – Senior Community Advisor,
Crime Prevention Unit
Disclaimer
Neither the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Justice nor any other individual or organisation involved
in the preparation of the Graffiti Guide accepts any liability for loss or damage arising to any organisation
from the use of the information contained in this Guide.
The examples, key messages and information presented in this Guide are representative examples of the
ways in which a territorial authority, community group or individual might respond to the challenge of graffiti
vandalism. They are presented for the purpose of illustration only, and are in no way a statement of how
particular issues or decisions must be dealt with.
Your use of this Guide constitutes acceptance of the contents of
this disclaimer.
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Graffiti Vandalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ What is Graffiti Vandalism?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ Who Does Graffiti Vandalism?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ Why Does Graffiti Vandalism Occur?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
3
4
4
The STOP Strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
5
5
6
What should I/we do if we find graffiti vandalism?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
■ Reporting Graffiti Vandalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
■ Assessing Graffiti Vandalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
■ Removing Graffiti Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
■ Protecting the Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
■ Preventing Graffiti Vandalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
■ Decision Processes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
■ Historic Places Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Now What?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
■ Graffiti Eradication Strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
■ Best Practice Management Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
■ Media Coverage of Graffiti Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
■ Best Practice Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
■ Graffiti Eradication Toolkit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-19
■ Mediums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
What Resources are available to me?
■ Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
■ Informative Websites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
■ Local Authorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
References
■ Appendix A: ■ Appendix B:
■ Appendix C:
■ Appendix D:
Ideas from Territorial Authorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Graffiti Management Toolbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26
Best Practice Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-28
Hutt Valley Graffiti Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30
2
Introduction
Graffiti vandalism1 has become a major problem for almost
all New Zealand territorial authorities. Ugly scrawls deface
the walls and structures of our cities and towns.
Graffiti Vandalism
STOP
The STOP Strategy2 defines graffiti vandalism in the same way as the Summary
Offences Act 1981:
Graffiti Vandalism in the act of a person damaging or defacing
any building, structure, road, tree, property, or other thing by
writing, drawing, painting, spraying or etching on it, or otherwise
marking it –
They can also be found on roads, bridges and road signs throughout the country and
in some places they have even appeared on rocks and cliff faces. The cost to territorial
authorities, infrastructure providers and businesses is substantial. In 2006
it was estimated that $5 million was being spent annually on cleaning up
graffiti in Auckland alone.
The STOP Graffiti Guide is a practical resource for everyone who is
affected in some way by graffiti vandalism. The Guide describes best
practice methods of eradicating graffiti vandalism in order to deter
and/or minimise opportunities for graffiti vandalism. Eradication
methods include painting over, removal with chemicals, cleaning
off and replacement.
1
Know How - Beat Graffiti Guide 2006, Local Government New Zealand
What is Graffiti Vandalism?
(a) Without lawful authority; and
(b) Without the consent of the occupier or owner or other
person in lawful control.
Posting notices and bills on street lamps and other places without authority falls within
the scope of Section 33 of the Summary Offences Act 1981. Posting notices and bills
is not part of the Graffiti Guide focus and issues relating to posters and notices should
be referred to the territorial authority that may have by-laws that provide controls
over this activity.
2
The STOP Strategy, P24
3
STOP
Who does graffiti vandalism?
STOP
There is very little New Zealand specific research on graffiti culture. However, the
experience of territorial authorities in New Zealand is that graffiti vandalism is usually
committed by people with the following characteristics3:
Why does graffiti vandalism occur?
The Dictionary of Art4 says that graffiti vandalism has three distinct genres:
1) The first is “individualised or popular graffiti including bathroom wall marking
(latrinalia), signatures, proclamations of love, witty comments in response to
advertisements and any number of individual, political or social commentary (folk
epigraphy)”.
2) The second genre is gang graffiti. This is used as markers by gangs and consists of
cryptic codes and initials rigidly styled with specialised calligraphies. Gang graffiti is
used to indicate group membership, to distinguish enemies and allies and to mark
boundaries which are both territorial and ideological. According to the Dictionary
this type of graffiti may merge with other art forms like tattoo and clothing styles
to create a bounded system “the concerns of which may incorporate illegitimate
economic and social practices that branch far beyond the reaches of the actual
graffiti”.
3) The third genre of graffiti, graffiti art, is commonly called “hip-hop” or “New York
style” graffiti and derives from a tradition of subway graffiti that originated in New
York during the 1970s. This type of graffiti has spread to large urban centres
around the USA and the rest of the world.
Aged 10 to
29 years
(predominantly
12-19 years)
Any ethnicity,
culture,
gender and
socio-economic
background
Employed and
unemployed;
in school and
truants
Children of
stable and
unstable
families
Students,
artists and
political
activists
In New Zealand graffiti vandalism incorporates all three genres and the trends change
over time5. Prior to 2006 most tagging was road facing graffiti on residential fences
and minor shopping centres. By the end of 2006 the trend changed to high visibility
locations high up on buildings and above shop awnings. Early 2006 also saw an explosion
in scratching and etching of windows in bus stops and small shopping centres.
The end of 2007 brought an increase in tagging on trucks and vehicles which had
been hardly heard of the previous year. In 2008 there was an unprecedented number
of reports of graffiti on private residential houses and garages. This may be because
private property is not covered under most graffiti removal contracts and the graffiti
vandalism perpetrators want maximum exposure.
Beat Graffiti – Know How Workshop hosted by Local Government New Zealand
and the Crime Prevention Unit, Ministry of Justice, 16 August 2006.
3
4
5
Graffiti Definition: The Dictionary of Art: http://www.graffiti.org/fax/graf./def.html
Tag Out Trust, Waitakere City, September 2008
4
The STOP Strategy
The STOP Strategy was developed by the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of
Justice in September 2008. The Strategy includes an amendment to the Summary
Offences Act 1981 and the Crimes Act 1961.
The STOP Graffiti Guide is based on the STOP Strategy Graffiti Vandalism Intervention
Framework of prevention, management and enforcement. Enforcing the law is primarily
the responsibility of the Police (with support from territorial authorities), so this Guide
focuses mainly on management and prevention.
The STOP Strategy recognises that many people display
considerable artistic talent and can express this via
graffiti style graphics. However, if in the course of this
“expression” they mark or damage someone else’s
property without permission, it is a crime.
STOP
PREVENTION
Crime Prevention is the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and
the initiation of some action to reduce the likelihood the crime will occur. Crime
prevention also involves the promotion of activities, attitudes and behaviours that
create and maintain safe communities where crime cannot thrive6. The goals of graffiti
vandalism prevention initiatives are to reduce the number of people engaging in graffiti
vandalism and reduce the amount of graffiti vandalism being perpetrated in New
Zealand communities.
Prevention strategies may include education in schools (the Ministry of Education
is developing curriculum materials), publicity about the negative impacts of graffiti
vandalism on a community, or encouraging people to report suspicious behaviour in
their community to the Police.
EDUCATION
STOP
PUBLICITY
AWARENESS
VIGILANCE
IN
REPORTING
MANAGEMENT
Management of graffiti vandalism involves: assessing the graffiti vandalism; removing
the vandalism; protecting surfaces against further vandalism; and preventing vandalism
from reoccurring. Graffiti vandalism management is everyone’s responsibility including:
householders, retailers, business park landlords and tenants, utility companies, education
providers, community groups, transport operators, and territorial authorities.
ASSESS
REMOVE
PROTECT
SURFACE
PREVENT
KEY MESSAGE
The concept of a legal graffiti wall does not fit with the Government’s legislative
stance on the sale and possession of spray paint cans to minors. In effect, a legal
graffiti wall would send contradictory messages to young people.
6
The STOP Strategy, p12
5
STOP
ENFORCEMENT
Graffiti vandalism is a crime. The legal framework for graffiti vandalism enforcement is
the Summary Offences Act 1981, as amended by the Summary Offences (Tagging and
Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Act 2008, and the Crimes Act 1961.
Under the Summary Offences (Tagging and Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Act, Judges
can require offenders to undertake community work such as cleaning up tagging and
graffiti vandalism. The maximum penalty for graffiti vandalism is a $2,000 fine and/or a
community based sentence. The Act also prohibits the sale of spray cans to under 18
year olds and restricts physical access to spray cans in stores so that the public cannot
access them without the assistance of a shop employee. A person who sells spray cans
to under 18 year olds commits an offence punishable by a fine of up to $1,500.
The Crimes Act 1961, Section 269(2) – intentional damage provides penalties
of a prison term up to seven years for intentionally damaging property. Neither the
Summary Offences Act nor the Crimes Act name any agency as specifically responsible
for enforcing those Acts. Therefore, either the Police, territorial authorities, or potentially
any other relevant agency, can investigate and prosecute graffiti offences.
KEY MESSAGES
The STOP Strategy7 emphasises that graffiti enforcement action should not
unnecessarily bring children and youth into the formal criminal justice system.
The Government expects that the
Police will take primary enforcement
responsibility for the following
sections of the Summary Offences
Act:
11 Wilful damage offences
11AGraffiti vandalism offences
11B Graffiti implement possession
offences.
The Government expects that
territorial authorities will take
primary enforcement and compliance
monitoring responsibility for the
following sections of the Summary
Offences Act:
14AProhibition of spray can sales to
under 18 year olds offence
14B Physical restriction of access to
spray cans in shops offence.
Collaboration between agencies is a key to effective enforcement (notably Police
and Territorial Authorities).
Community work, where graffiti offenders may actually remove graffiti vandalism
from communities, is likely to be an appropriate penalty for many offenders.
Wherever possible, victims’ needs should be considered as part of the enforcement
process – various means of compensation and restitution can be applied (including
participation in a restorative justice process).
STOP
NEW FUNDING
As part of the STOP Strategy, new funding has been provided to support
anti-graffiti vandalism initiatives. $2 million per year for three years will
be provided to support community action to combat graffiti vandalism
including small initiatives, contestable funding and restorative justice for
victims of tagging and graffiti vandalism and the offenders responsible.
7
The STOP Strategy, p30 - 35
6
What should we do if we find graffiti vandalism?
STOP
REPORTING GRAFFITI VANDALISM
Graffiti vandalism must be easy to report otherwise the public will not do so. This
means the public must have access to the right information on whom to phone or
email if they see graffiti vandalism either after the event or whilst it is is occurring.
Members of the public must also have confidence that when graffiti is reported it will
be removed promptly.
Ensure personal safety first. Do not approach or photograph an offender. Wait
until the graffiti vandal is out of the immediate area before taking a photo of the
vandalism. Be sure to note a detailed description of the offender.
STOP
BEST PRACTICE REPORTING GUIDELINES
■ Establish a graffiti hotline 0800 number, e.g. at a local authority call centre
that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
■ Advertise this service widely so that all residents know who to contact.
■ Ensure call centre staff are fully trained and a Frequently Asked Questions
system for graffiti vandalism is in place.
■ Develop a standardised graffiti reporting form to ensure consistency in
gathering relevant and important information.
■ Photograph all incidences of graffiti vandalism and record them in a master
database connected through the call centre to the Police call centre to
match graffiti vandalism tags.
Take Photo
■ Analyse graffiti vandal behaviour in order to build a record of where graffiti
vandalism is occurring, when it is occurring and which tagger/s are doing
it.
Telephone
■ Target prolific taggers and hot spots identified through the database.
■ Use the graffiti vandalism analysis to provide evidence for prosecutions.
Text/Pixt
Email
7
STOP
LONGER-TERM OPTIONS FOR
REPORTING GRAFFITI VANDALISM8
■ Establish a fully automated
reporting and recording process
via a web based system with
the ability to integrate voice,
text messaging and website
reporting with police recording
systems.
www
POLICE
RECORDING
SYSTEM
assessing graffiti vandalism
When graffiti vandalism is reported it is important to firstly assess:
■ The type of surface on which the graffiti is located.
■ The graffiti instrument/s that have been used.
■ The removal method options available.
■ The amount of graffiti.
■ Environmental factors such as the height at which the graffiti vandalism is
located.
STOP
REMOVING GRAFFITI VANDALISM
Removing graffiti is the responsibility of property owners and managers including:
residents; retailers; business park landlords; utility companies; education providers;
school caretakers; transport operators (e.g. rail); territorial authorities; private graffiti
removal companies and community groups contracted by territorial authorities to
remove graffiti.
■ Establish an electronic reporting
form which has the capacity to
include both digital imaging
and Global Positioning System
codes that will simultaneously
be forwarded to contracted
cleaners for rapid removal.
■ Ensure all graffiti incidents,
together with picture evidence,
can be reported to a central
point using a diverse range of
technologies and automatically
processed through to Police and
contractors for follow up action.
STOP
The removal of graffiti vandalism requires a number of decisions to be made, including
the most appropriate removal method and the ease of removal (i.e. the time and effort
it will take to remove).
The most effective strategy against graffiti vandalism is to remove it as quickly as
possible and to persist in removing it. Removal of graffiti vandalism should be done as
quickly as possible because:
■ Solvents dissolve paint more easily if it is not completely dried and hardened.
■ The appearance of the property and the neighbourhood is improved making it
less likely to attract further graffiti vandalism.
CENTRAL
POINT
■ Graffiti vandals will be deprived of the reward and satisfaction of recognition.
FOLLOW-UP
Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy 2007 – 2010, Office of Crime Prevention,
Western Australia Police, p11
8
8
Paint Over:
The most common and relatively cheapest form of removing
graffiti vandalism. Using dark colours is recommended to
avoid a shadow or ghosting effect. Try to keep the colour
palette to a minimum to minimise costs and time spent
matching paint colours.
KEY MESSAGE
A Service Level Agreement drawn up between all those parties responsible
for graffiti removal will assist in providing a “clean street” approach to graffiti
management by helping ensure a consistent approach to the timely removal of
graffiti vandalism.
Removing with Chemicals
Clean Off
Replacement
For personal safety reasons this method requires care as
well as an understanding and some training in the use of
chemicals. This is because some substances may create a
shadow or ghosting effect on certain surfaces when the
graffiti is removed.
As safe standards for graffiti removal and the use of appropriate chemicals are essential,
it is important to seek expert help. Problems can occur when unapproved chemicals
are used for graffiti removal in public places such as schools or community buildings.
Some territorial authorities provide graffiti removal kits. These may include graffiti
remover, safety glasses, gloves, instructions and safety information.
This includes the use of sand and soda blasting. This option
is more expensive than either painting over or removing
with chemicals.
All territorial authorities must ensure that the abrasive removal or covering of graffiti
vandalism is not treated as a permitted activity under the Resource Management Act
1991. Removing graffiti vandalism should be clearly stated in regional and district plans
as a non-complying or prohibited activity in relation to historic heritage. The definitions
of repair and maintenance in relation to listed historic heritage in regional and district
plans require review in this regard. The abrasive cleaning of graffiti vandalism should be
clearly defined as “damage” and should trigger resource consent.
May be more cost effective when dealing with signage
or where the damage cannot be painted over, chemically
removed or cleaned off.
Successful community initiatives for removing graffiti include the following:
■ Assisting neighbours in removal, especially if they are less mobile.
■ Community clean up days.
KEY MESSAGE
Property Owners (including businesses,
schools, utility companies, transport companies
and territorial authorities) should establish
a consistent policy for removal of graffiti.
Best practice is to remove graffiti on priority areas
such as streets subjected to high pedestrian traffic
within six hours and routine areas within 24 hours.
■ The Neat Street Programme: Through the use of Neat Street awards the
community is encouraged to take pride in where they live, liaise with their
neighbours and enter to win one of six ‘Neat Street’ signs which is attached to
the lamp post at the beginning of the street. Ask your local authority for more
information. www.ecomatters.org.nz/02_KWB/Neat_Street_Nomination.pdf.
■ “Adopting” a wall, signal box, phone box, fence, etc.
9
STOP
PROTECTING THE SURFACE
STOP
PREVENTING GRAFFITI VANDALISM
Decisions need to be made by the appropriate person (owner, manager etc.) about how
the surface can be protected to prevent further graffiti vandalism from occurring.
Finally, decisions need to be made on the best methods to prevent further graffiti
vandalism from occurring.
High value surfaces will require the advice of specialist, professional operators to
determine the best ways in which to protect the surface and remove graffiti vandalism.
For example, large civic buildings such as the Auckland Town Hall or heritage sites such
as the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington need both expert protection and
expert removal to avoid damage to the surfaces.
Changing the environment so no further graffiti vandalism occurs is the responsibility
of territorial authorities, business park landlords, utility companies, transport operators
and private residents.
A very effective crime prevention strategy is application of CPTED principles (Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design). The term CPTED was coined by Dr C. Ray
Jeffrey in the early 1970s, who described it as follows: “CPTED is the proper design and
effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the form and incidence of
crime and improvement in the quality of life”.
Because the market for specialist graffiti protection and removal is small in New
Zealand, there are very few professionals available with the experience and expertise
to determine the most appropriate protective coatings taking into account the surface
substrate (natural stone, concrete, painted surfaces, signage), aesthetics, hit-risk and
frequency, and preferred maintenance methods.
CPTED seeks to reduce opportunities for crime through the design and management of
built and landscaped environments. Areas that are subject to constant graffiti vandalism
can increase fear and disorder in the local community and distort perceptions about
the actual level of crime and safety10.
There are companies that are recognised market leaders in graffiti protection and
removal that provide services on a New Zealand-wide basis. Contact the territorial
authority for advice on who you should contact for advice.
The larger paint companies in New Zealand
also offer advice on protective
surfaces and graffiti removal.
VIRGINIA CREEPER
SCREEN
BUSHES &
TREE PLANTING
TEXTURED
SURFACE
GOOD LIGHTING
The potential for graffiti to occur can be reduced by
creating surfaces and modifying settings that interfere
with offenders’ perception of a wall or space as an
empty and inviting “blank canvas” waiting to be filled.
For example:
■ The use of Virginia Creeper or tree planting will
eliminate a blank wall.
■ Protected wall murals will fill a blank space.
■ The use of rough cast materials.
■ Good lighting will discourage graffiti vandalism.
■ Planting screen bushes or trees will protect a
fence.
WALL
MURALS
10
Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy 2007 - 2010, Crime Prevention, Western Australia Police, p14
10
Territorial authorities have the opportunity and responsibility for ensuring public
spaces are well designed as this can significantly reduce the level of crime and antisocial
behaviour that occurs. The CPTED design theory takes into account the relationship
between the physical environment and the users of that environment.
The seven CPTED qualities for well designed, graffiti free places are:
■ Access: safe movement and connections.
■ Surveillance and sightlines: see and be seen.
■ Layout: clear and logical orientation.
■ Activity mix: eyes on the street.
■ Sense of ownership: showing a space is cared for.
■ Quality environments: well designed, managed and maintained
environments.
■ Physical protection: using active security measures.
The most iconic demonstration of the quality environments component of CPTED in
New Zealand is the famous Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa, Northland. Frederick
Hundertwasser worked with students from Bay of Islands College in the design. The
finished product is a work of art, from the grass roof, to gold balls, ceramic tiles,
bottle glass windows, mosaic tiling, copper handwork, cobblestone flooring, individual
sculptures and a living tree integrated into the design structure.
In simple language CPTED in practice with respect to prevention of graffiti involves:
■ Restricting access to the “canvas”.
■ Minimising solid vertical surface areas.
■ Using rough textures.
■ Improving lighting.
■ Improving natural surveillance.
■ Using protective coatings (professional advice needed).
STOP
ASSESS
the graffiti vandalism
to be removed
surface
eg. utility box/
wooden fence/
painted concrete etc.
The Ministry of Justice is planning to develop CPTED guidelines focusing
specifically on the prevention of graffiti vandalism (www.justice.govt.nz/cpu/).
environment
implement used
removal method
amount of graffiti
environmental factors
(eg. height)
eg. 4m above street level
eg. paint over/ chemical
remover/ clean off/
replacement etc.
eg. spray can/
permanent marker/
sticker etc.
(area of graffiti that needs
to be removed)
eg. 4m2
REMOVE
the graffiti
vandalism
eradication method
best method of eradication
eg. paint over it/
soda blast it etc.
ease of eradication
(time, effort)
eg. ½ an hour with 3 people
eradicating it
are there options to
protect the cleaned surface?
eg. graffiti resistant paint/laminate etc.
PREVENT
the graffiti
vandalism
STOP
KEY MESSAGE
DECISION PROCESS
other options
other options for eradication
eg. paint over it/
soda blast it etc.
PROTECT
the surface
best method to prevent further vandalism
eg. use of foliage / fencing / urban murals etc.
ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Issues to consider for graffiti vandalism eradication include, for example:
■ Permission from property owner required for removal.
■ If graffiti is old it will take twice as long to remove.
■ Fragile surfaces.
■ Historic structures, etc.
11
STOP
HISTORIC PLACES TRUST
Territorial authority staff and contractors must be familiar with the Historic Places
Act 1993. The Historic Places Trust can be contacted for advice before any cleaning
operations are carried out so that damage does not occur. Always check if the building
(this includes a structure) is historic heritage:
■ Is the building listed in the regional or district plan?
■ Is the building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places
Trust?
■ Is the building an archaeological site?
Now What?
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION STRATEGY
A graffiti vandalism strategy will outline the territorial authority’s approach to managing
graffiti and can be developed once a territorial authority has an understanding of
the extent of the graffiti vandalism problem. The STOP Strategy11 identifies the key
questions that should be asked when developing such a strategy. The graffiti vandalism
strategy should include the following:
■ Is the building included in another public heritage inventory?
■
If the building is historic heritage, the Historic Places Trust should be contacted for
advice before any cleaning operations are carried out as the abrasive nature of the
cleaning may damage the heritage values of the place. Historic Places Trust Heritage
Advisers are available for consultation by contacting their offices in Kerikeri, Auckland,
Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Contact details can be found on the
Historic Places Trust website: www.historic.org.nz.
■ A goal which sets a measurable target for the council so that council can
evaluate progress more effectively.
For larger buildings or groups of buildings (historic areas) the preparation of a
graffiti management plan (or treatment plan) should involve Historic Places Trust
consultation.
A vision statement of the outcome the council is seeking.
■ Objectives which combine prevention, removal and enforcement approaches.
■ Methods to show how the strategy will be implemented.
Once the extent of the problem has been assessed then an appropriate response
can be formulated in the graffiti vandalism strategy. Suggestions and options for those
dealing with the clean up and management of graffiti vandalism are included within
this document. These can be used to guide development of a wider graffiti vandalism
strategy that includes prevention, management and enforcement measures.
In some instances (i.e. large graffiti treatment projects), owners or local authorities
should seek the advice of a conservation architect. The conservation architect
should ideally be a member of the New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials
(NZCCM): www.conservators.org.nz – (note many practising conservation architects
are not members of the NZCCM).
For more information on dealing with places of historical significance that have been
damaged by graffiti vandalism, contact your nearest Historic Places Trust office (see
the web address above) or contact the Historic Places Trust National Office, Antrim
House, 63 Boulcott Street, Wellington (phone (04) 472 4341).
11
The STOP Strategy, p18
12
KEY MESSAGES
STOP
BEST PRACTICE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
1. Prioritise – it is sometimes better to select areas where you can make a
difference.
■ Undertake an audit to assess the scale of the local graffiti vandalism
problem.
2. The most effective crime prevention strategies involve communities
working together.
■ Work out what resources will be required to deal with the problem.
■ If insufficient resources are available, work out ways in which further resources
can be found.
■ Clearly identify who is responsible for removing graffiti in which locations
and, if possible, try and work collaboratively to ensure a removal standard is
maintained.
■ Agree a standard time frame for removal of graffiti (this may vary depending
on whether or not the graffiti is in a high profile location).
■ Remove the graffiti within the specified timeframe.
3. CPTED design principles are very effective at preventing or reducing
graffiti vandalism occurring in town centres and along fence lines.
4. Promote the message that graffiti is not acceptable in your community.
Effective graffiti vandalism prevention strategies may involve local businesses, schools,
councils and community organisations working together to address specific issues. This
may include:
■
Police
■ Keep New Zealand Beautiful
■
Neighbourhood support
■ Infrastructure providers
■
Retailers
■ Professional graffiti removal companies
■
Community groups
■ Community elders
■
Housing New Zealand
■ Education representatives
■
Maori wardens
■ Youth justice authorities
■
Truancy officers
■ Salvation Army
■
Youth representatives ■ Past graffiti vandalism offenders
An example of a graffiti vandalism strategy is included in the appendices to give you
some ideas and guidance on developing your own strategy.
STOP
media coverage of graffiti issues
The STOP Strategy discourages the display of examples of graffiti vandalism in
media, broadcasting or publicity materials as it is thought to encourage graffiti
vandals by giving them the exposure they desire.
STOP
practice note
When considering the use of campaign billboards as part of a community
education strategy, be mindful that these can themselves quickly become a target
for graffiti vandals.
13
STOP
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES13
■ People Power: Improve the volume and quality of graffiti vandalism
information by encouraging the public to report graffiti.
■ Getting the Facts: Establish and maintain accurate baseline data through
improved graffiti incident reporting and recording.
■ Cooling Down Hot Spots: Improve the coordination and time taken to
remove graffiti vandalism in local communities.
■ Safe and Smart: Ensure only the safest and most appropriate techniques
and products are used in the removal of graffiti vandalism.
■ DIY Designing Out Graffiti: Make it more difficult and less appealing
for offenders to commit graffiti vandalism by considering the materials and
designs used in the built environment.
■ Breaking Bad Habits: Reduce the number of juveniles engaging in
graffiti vandalism by assisting them to acquire, in an educational setting, the
attributes of respect and responsibility.
■ Grants for Innovation: Provide financial assistance for innovative local
graffiti reduction strategies.
■ Hot Spot Watching: Increase the quality and quantity of visual intelligence
gathered to assist Police in the investigation of an offence and increase the
likelihood of arrest.
■ The 3 Rs – Respect, Responsibility and Restoration: Make sure that
juvenile graffiti offenders are made accountable to the community for their
actions under a case managed approach.
Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy 2007 – 2010, Office of Crime Prevention,
Western Australia Police, p8
13
Restroom in Hundertwasser Museum, Vienna
14
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION TOOLKIT
Brick
Response
Options for removal
Ease of Cover-up
Concrete
■
■
■
■
■
Sandblasting
Pressure washing
Soda-blasting
Painting
Buffing/polishing
■ Medium
Easy, medium or difficult
Ease of Removal
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
Options for removal
■
■
■
■
■
■
Sandblasting
Pressure washing
Soda-blasting
Painting
Sanding
Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Ease of Removal
■ Difficult
Easy, medium or difficult
■ Difficult
Easy, medium or difficult
Resources/Tips
Response
Easy, medium or difficult
■ After graffiti is removed from the brick
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
Resources/Tips
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
■ After graffiti is removed from the
concrete surface, apply an anti-graffiti
laminate or paint to make future graffiti
removal easier.
15
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION TOOLKIT
Metal
Response
Glass
Options for removal
■ Cleaning with chemicals
■ Painting
■ Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Easy, medium or difficult
Ease of Removal
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
Challenges
Options for removal
■ Cleaning with chemicals (if marked)
■ Buffing/polishing
■ Replace (if etched)
Ease of Cover-up
■ Not applicable
Easy, medium or difficult
■ Easy to Medium
Easy, medium or difficult
Resources/Tips
Response
Ease of Removal
Easy, medium or difficult
■ After graffiti is removed from the metal
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
Resources/Tips
■ Check with manufacturer or retailer
that the chemical will remove the
graffiti vandalism from the metal surface
without leaving shadows or a ghosting
effect.
Challenges
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
■ Medium (depending if graffiti is marked
or etched)
■ After graffiti is removed from the glass
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
■ Check with manufacturer or retailer
that the chemical will remove the graffiti
vandalism without leaving shadows or a
ghosting effect.
■ Check with manufacturer whether the
product is abrasive and will damage the
glass surface.
16
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION TOOLKIT
Plastic
Response
Wood
Options for removal
■ Cleaning with chemicals
■ Painting
■ Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Easy, medium or difficult
Ease of Removal
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
Challenges
Options for removal
■ Painting
■ Sanding
■ Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Ease of Removal
■ Difficult
Easy, medium or difficult
■ Medium to difficult
Easy, medium or difficult
Resources/Tips
Response
Easy, medium or difficult
■ After graffiti is removed from the plastic
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
Resources/Tips
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
■ After graffiti is removed from the wood
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
■ Check with manufacturer or retailer
that the chemical will remove the graffiti
vandalism without leaving shadows or a
ghosting effect.
17
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION TOOLKIT
Traffic Signs
Plastic Rubbish Bins
Response
Response
Options for removal
■ Cleaning with chemicals - solvents
■ Replacement
■ Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Easy, medium or difficult
Ease of Removal
■ Medium
Easy, medium or difficult
Resources/Tips
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
Challenges
Options for removal
Ease of Cover-up
■ Cleaning with chemicals
- solvents (methylated spirits)
■ Buffing/polishing
Easy, medium or difficult
■ Possibly difficult - may discolour area
cleaned
Ease of Removal
■ Medium
Easy, medium or difficult
■ After graffiti is removed from the sign,
apply an anti-graffiti laminate or paint to
make future graffiti removal easier.
■ An option to consider is the
replacement of damaged signs.
Resources/Tips
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
■ After graffiti is removed from the bin
surface, apply an anti-graffiti laminate
or paint to make future graffiti removal
easier.
■ Check with manufacturer or retailer
that the chemical will remove the graffiti
vandalism without leaving shadows or a
ghosting effect.
■ Traffic signs may be reflectorised special paint will be needed.
18
STOP
GRAFFITI ERADICATION TOOLKIT
Footpaths
Response
Utility Boxes
Options for removal
■ Sandblasting
■ Waterblasting
■ Soda-blasting
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Easy, medium or difficult
Ease of Removal
Easy, medium or difficult
Response
■ Easy
Options for removal
■ Painting
■ Buffing/polishing
Ease of Cover-up
■ Easy
Ease of Removal
■ Easy
Easy, medium or difficult
Easy, medium or difficult
Resources/Tips
What you can do/where you can go
for help and action
■ After graffiti is removed from the
utility box surface, apply an anti-graffiti
laminate or paint to make future graffiti
removal easier.
■ Utility companies should consider
anti-graffiti measures during the
manufacturing of utility boxes.
■ Painted murals are a good way to
discourage graffiti vandalism.
19
Mediums
Mediums used to cause graffiti vandalism:
■ Aerosol spray paint – including enamel,
road marking, fluorescent and automotive
touch-up paint and more.
■ Rocks, keys or anything that will etch and
scratch glass.
■ Pens, pencils, chalk.
■ Graffiti art aerosol spray paint.
■ Felt tip markers – all shapes and sizes.
■ Liquid shoe polish.
■ Home made refillable markers (refilled
with Indian ink).
■ Cigarette lighters to burn into ceilings and
walls.
■ Paint in bags or water balloons – usually
thrown from cars.
■Faeces – smeared on toilet walls in parks.
■ Standard water based paint – normal
paint used for many household applications is
used with rollers to do large tags that cover
many square metres (called stompers by
taggers).
■ Blood.
■ Mud and dirt.
■ Stickers – tag is written onto a sticker then
applied to a surface.
■ Knives, pocket knives – used to carve into
wooden structures.
(Just about anything that can be used to mark/
scratch/deface).
20
Bibliography
Informative Websites
The STOP Strategy (Stop Tagging Our Place), 2007 – 2010, prepared by the
Crime Prevention Unit, Ministry of Justice, September 2008.
www.justice.govt.nz/cpu/
Ministry of Justice Stop Strategy
www.justice.govt.nz/CPU/stop-strategy/introduction.html
Beat Graffiti – Know How Workshop, hosted by Local Government New
Zealand and the Crime Prevention Unit, Ministry of Justice, August 2006.
www.justice.govt.nz/cpu/
KnowHow Beat Graffiti Guide, Local Government New Zealand and the
Crime Prevention Unit, Ministry of Justice, 2006.
www.justice.govt.nz/cpu/
Historic Places Trust
www.historic.org.nz
New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials
www.conservators.org.nz
Goodbye Graffiti and Crime Prevention websites
www.goodbyegraffiti.wa.gov.au and www.crimeprevention.wa.govt.au
Auckland Region Graffiti Free Project: Project Charter “Partnership
Programme”, a joint project between Police and Local Government to reduce graffiti
in the Auckland Region.
Graffiti Hurts – Community Resources
www.graffitihurts.org/community_resources/prevention.cfm
Summary Offences (Tagging and Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Act 2008.
Bristol City Council: Graffiti reporting and removal: Graffiti education
www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Transport-Streets/Street-care-and-cleaning/gra
Graffiti Management Policy, City of Sydney, December, 2004.
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Graffiti/GraffitiManagementPolicy.asp
Graffiti Hotline UK
www.graffitihotline.co.uk/graffitieducation.htm
Graffiti Vandalism Reduction Strategy, 2007 – 2010, Office of Crime
Prevention, Western Australian Police.
www.aic.gov.au/topics/property/guides.html
Anti-Graffiti Education and Diversionary Initiatives
www.justice.gic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/Crime/Graffiti+
Graffiti Definition: The Dictionary of Art.
www.graffiti.org/fax/graf.def.html
UK Home Office
www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/learningzone/sara.htm
Far North District Council article on Hundertwasser toilets sourced from
the internet on 26th August 2008.
www.findc.govt.nz/toilets/ihunderwasser.asp
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
www.knzb.org.nz
Katikati Mural Town
www.katikati.co.nz/murals/index.html
Local Government New Zealand
www.localcouncils.govt.nz
Hip Hop Learning: Graffiti as an Educator of Urban Teenagers, sourced from the
internet on 7 July 2008.
www.graffiti.org/faq/grafiti_edu_christen.html
21
Local Authorities
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
I
Ashburton District Council Auckland City Council
Auckland Regional Council
www.ashburtondc.govt.nz
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
www.arc.govt.nz
Banks Peninsula District Council
Bay of Plenty Regional Council www.ccc.govt.nz
www.envbop.govt.nz
Canterbury Regional Council
Carterton District Council
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
Central Otago District Council
Chatham Islands Council
Christchurch City Council
Clutha District Council
www.ecan.govt.nz
www.cartertondc.co.nz
www.chbdc.govt.nz
www.codc.govt.nz
www.cic.govt.nz
www.ccc.govt.nz
www.cluthadc.govt.nz
M
Dunedin City Council
www.cityofdunedin.com
N
Far North District Council
Franklin District Council
www.fndc.govt.nz
www.franklindistrict.co.nz
Gisborne District Council
Gore District Council
Grey District Council
www.gdc.govt.nz
www.goredc.govt.nz
www.greydc.govt.nz
Hamilton City Council
Hastings District Council
Hauraki District Council
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Horowhenua District Council
Hurunui District Council
Hutt City Council
www.hamilton.co.nz
www.hastingsdc.govt.nz
www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz
www.hbrc.govt.nz
www.horowhenua.govt.nz
www.hurunui.govt.nz
www.huttcity.govt.nz
K
O
P
Q
Invercargill City Council
www.icc.govt.nz
Kaikoura District Council
Kaipara District Council
Kapiti Coast District Council
Kawerau District Council
www.kaikoura.govt.nz
www.kaipara.govt.nz
www.kapiticoast.govt.nz
www.kaweraudc.govt.nz
Mackenzie District Council
www.mackenzie.govt.nz
Manawatu District Council
www.mdc.govt.nz
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council www.horizons.govt.nz
Manukau City Council
www.manukau.govt.nz
Marlborough District Council
www.marlborough.govt.nz
Masterton District Council
www.mstn.govt.nz
Matamata-Piako District Council
www.mpdc.govt.nz
Napier City Council
Nelson City Council
New Plymouth District Council
North Shore City Council
Northland Regional Council
www.napier.govt.nz
www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz
www.newplymouthnz.com
www.northshorecity.govt.nz
www.nrc.govt.nz
Opotiki District Council
Otago Regional Council
Otorohanga District Council
www.odc.govt.nz
www.orc.govt.nz
www.otodc.govt.nz
Palmerston North City Council
Papakura District Council
Porirua City Council
www.pncc.govt.nz
www.papakura.govt.nz
www.pcc.govt.nz
Queenstown-Lakes District Council
www.qldc.govt.nz
continued...
22
Local Authorities Continued...
R
S
T
U
Rangitikei District Council
Rodney District Council
Rotorua District Council
Ruapehu District Council
www.rangitikei.govt.nz
www.rodney.govt.nz
www.rdc.govt.nz
www.ruapehudc.govt.nz
Selwyn District Council
South Taranaki District Council
South Waikato District Council
South Wairarapa District Council
Southland District Council
Southland Regional Council
Stratford District Council
www.selwyn.govt.nz
www.stdc.co.nz
www.southwaikato.govt.nz
www.swdc.govt.nz
www.southlanddc.govt.nz
www.es.govt.nz
www.stratford.govt.nz
Taranaki Regional Council
Tararua District Council
Tasman District Council Taupo District Council
Tauranga City Council
Thames-Coromandel District Council Timaru District Council
www.trc.govt.nz
www.tararuadc.govt.nz
www.tasman.govt.nz
www.taupo.govt.nz
www.tauranga.govt.nz
www.tcdc.govt.nz
www.timaru.govt.nz
Upper Hutt City Council
www.upperhuttcity.com
W Waikato District Council
Waikato Regional Council
Waimakariri District Council
Waimate District Council
Waipa District Council Wairoa District Council
Waitakere City Council
Waitaki District Council
Waitomo District Council
Wanganui District Council
Wellington City Council
Wellington Regional Council
West Coast Regional Council
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Westland District Council
Whakatane District Council
Whangarei District Council
www.wcrc.govt.nz
www.wbopdc.govt.nz
www.westland.govt.nz
www.whakatane.govt.nz
www.wdc.govt.nz
Use of creeper, textured surfaces & plants
will help to deter graffiti vandalism
www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz
www.ew.govt.nz
www.waimakariri.govt.nz
www.waimatedc.govt.nz
www.waipadc.govt.nz
www.wairoadc.govt.nz
www.waitakere.govt.nz
www.waitaki.govt.nz
www.waitomo.govt.nz
www.wanganui.govt.nz
www.wellington.govt.nz
www.gw.govt.nz
23
APPENDIX A
Ideas from Territorial Authorities
Following are some ideas from territorial authorities around New Zealand
on graffiti management14
OFFENDERS
If possible, talk to graffiti vandalism offenders to help understand more about what
motivates them, where they like to tag etc.
SCHOOL CHILDREN
HOTLINES
Many territorial authorities have hotlines and some use these to collect information on
incidences of graffiti vandalism. It is important that the information collected includes
the location of the graffiti vandalism, the time that it occurred, and the medium used
to apply it.
TERRITORIAL STAFF
Territorial authorities often have employees deployed in the city who could also be
used to report incidences of graffiti (for example parking wardens). Be sure to inform
staff why they are being asked to collect the information and develop a reporting
framework to ensure consistent information is recorded.
Talking to students in primary and secondary schools can be a useful way of
understanding more about why graffiti vandalism is taking place.
CONTRACTORS
Territorial authorities are likely to have contracts with a number of different contractors
such as street cleaners, security guards, bus shelter maintenance etc. As part of the
service contracts, territorial authorities can ask contractors to report graffiti.
NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT GROUPS
Neighbourhood Support Groups are active in many areas and will have a good
understanding of issues of concern to local residents. Talking to them might provide
some useful information on where and when graffiti vandalism is occurring.
PROSECUTION RECORDS
Talk to the Police to gather information from prosecution records. This may contain
useful information on the methods graffiti vandals have used, when incidences of graffiti
vandalism have occurred, and who has been responsible. Building a good working
relationship with the Police will also assist your graffiti vandalism strategy.
INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS
GRAFFITI DATABASE
LOCAL POSTIES
Some territorial authorities have established databases to record incidences of graffiti
as well as store photographs of the tags. This information may be able to be used to
assist Police in prosecuting offenders. See Box 1 for information on the set up and
operation of the Auckland City Graffiti Tracker.
Graffiti vandalism often occurs in rail corridors, on bus shelters, at train stations, on
electrical boxes and other infrastructure structures. Talk to your local infrastructure
providers to see if they have any records of incidences of graffiti.
Posties are out on the streets nearly every day. They might be in a good position to
report incidences of graffiti in order to identify spots that are regularly tagged. You will
need to contact New Zealand Post to discuss this further.
KnowHow Beat Graffiti Guide 06, Local Government New Zealand, p5
14
24
APPENDIX B
Graffiti Management Toolbox
Following is a toolbox15 for graffiti vandalism management
RAPID REMOVAL
Rapid removal (preferably within 24 hours) is the most effective way to prevent graffiti
reappearing because it reduces the recognition that graffiti vandals desire. It also shows
that the affected area is being monitored and looked after. If graffiti is left on a structure
it is likely that more will appear.
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
Graffiti protection coatings are painted on top of natural or painted surfaces to form a
protective shield. Graffiti will stick to the protective coat instead of the normal surface.
Many different products are available and are usually either clear or ‘sacrificial’ coats.
Clear coat is a long life, hardened cover similar to a clear varnish or paint, from which
the graffiti can be wiped. Sacrificial coats are totally or partially removed with the
graffiti. Before purchasing a graffiti protection coating, you need to consider the cost
and what product best suits your situation. You may require professional advice.
GRAFFITI REMOVAL KITS
■ Territorial authorities may like to consider providing graffiti removal kits free of
charge to members of the public and local businesses.
■ Before distributing graffiti removal kits, ensure the contents meet health and safety
requirements.
■ The kits may contain: graffiti remover, safety glasses, gloves, instructions and safety
information.
REMOVAL TIPS
Auckland City Council has developed some removal tips for communities that could
form part of your graffiti strategy and its implementation. How you tackle the graffiti
will depend on:
■ The materials used by taggers (usually oil based spray paint or felt-tip pen).
■ The type of surface (discuss removal with the supplier or manufacturer before
starting).
■ If graffiti is being removed for the first time try different methods on a small test
area first.
■ Check before you proceed to a larger area that the removal method is not causing
more damage.
■ Try to remove tags when they are fresh by using methylated spirits, turps, paint
stripper or branded graffiti removal products.
■ Paint your walls or fence in dark colours. Colours that will cover in one coat are
most effective (e.g. green or brown). If the surface is a lighter colour than the
graffiti you may get a ghosting effect.
■ A painted wall is easier to keep graffiti free because any further tags can simply be
painted over.
■ Clean unpainted walls or fences by sanding, sand-blasting, soda-blasting or waterblasting.
■ Keep any unused fence paint and a brush handy in case you need it to cover over
tagging.
■ Protect the driveway and footpath from paint drops and spills when painting out
tagging.
■ The chemicals in graffiti removal products can be hazardous so always wear
protective clothing including a mask. Store out of reach of children.
KnowHow Beat Graffiti Guide 06, Local Government New Zealand, p16-17
15
25
STOP
GRAFFITI management TOOLBOX
ADVICE FROM TERRITORIAL AUTHORITIES WHEN
CONSIDERING A REACTIVE APPROACH TO GRAFFITI
■ Work with private property owners to get them to take responsibility for
removing graffiti on their own properties before offering a free service – it is best
to encourage them to maintain their own properties.
■ Protective coatings can be expensive so check the price and lifespan before setting
a policy on the use of protective coatings.
■ It may be easier to manage contracts for removal if only one contractor is used
where possible – avoid fragmentation of contracts.
■ You will need to get the permission of a private property owner before removing
graffiti. This can be done by getting the property owner to write a letter to the
territorial authority giving blanket approval for removal.
■ If the removal service is provided free of charge for both public and private
property then uptake is likely to be greater.
■ If using volunteers to remove the graffiti it can be better to use small well organised
groups rather than large numbers of volunteers. This way it is easier to control
the quality of the work.
■ Recognise the great work of volunteers! This can be done by inviting them all to an
informal lunch with the Mayor where they are all given certificates of appreciation,
free access to public swimming pools, a Christmas gift, etc.
■ Some paint companies have an agreement whereby members of Keep New
Zealand Beautiful can get paint at a discounted price for the removal of graffiti
vandalism.
■ Look for funding options through central government agencies, community grants,
trusts, pub charities, etc.
■ Kitty litter is great for soaking up spilt paint.
■ Territorial authorities might consider owning their own graffiti removal vans.
■ Always supervise community paint-outs to ensure a good quality job. They are
usually done well but a poor job could affect your ability to get future paint-outs
done in your community.
26
APPENDIX C
Best Practice Examples
STOP
auckland city’s graffiti tracker database
Auckland City’s ‘graffiti tracker’ database16 was developed as a tool to enhance the
City’s zero tolerance to graffiti vandalism strategy.
The database captures digital photographic images of graffiti tags, addresses of incidents,
the cost of damage repair, and complainant details. The images and information are
used during the interviews of graffiti vandals and as evidence in court.
STOP
tag out trust vehicles
Tag Out trucks are set up for the removal of graffiti by painting out, water blasting or
sanding as per the methodology set out under the terms of the council contracted Tag
Out services.
Other contractors’ and commercial operators’ trucks will be set up differently depending
on the types of services they offer. For example, commercial contractors who apply
sacrificial and non-sacrificial graffiti coatings will also carry hot water blasters to remove
graffiti from those coatings.
The Auckland City Police consider the database to be a very valuable resource assisting
their partnership with the City in combating the graffiti vandalism problem.
The statistics and modus operandi data generated by the database ensure that the
zero tolerance strategy’s resources are targeted most effectively. A database enables
information sharing between territorial authorities and other agencies.
Relatively inexpensive software was purchased and the database was built by I.T.
staff. The database is managed by the contract company that delivers the removal
component of the zero tolerance strategy.
SUITABLE TRUCKS
Trucks under three tons are best suited for this purpose. They are large enough to
carry all the necessary equipment but small enough to be easy to park and access
difficult areas like parks (be aware of any weight restrictions that might apply,
e.g. bridges). An HT licence is not needed for vehicles under 4.5 tonnes.
Trucks typically suited to this type of work have refrigerated rear units which will
help keep the paint cool extending its shelf life. Most of these trucks will also have
horizontal sliding doors as opposed to vertical sliding doors. Vertical sliding doors are
less desirable as they can be problematic and raise health and safety/RSI issues (pictured
is an example of each).
TIP
Ensure you are clear about exactly what information you want to capture in
the database prior to building it and make sure that the information entered is
accurate.
Vans can be used for graffiti
removal, but chemicals and
paint smells must be isolated
from the driver.
KnowHow Beat Graffiti Guide 06, Local Government New Zealand, p6
16
27
STOP
APPENDIX C
tag out trust vehicles
EQUIPMENT
HEALTH AND SAFETY (OSH Approved)
All of the trucks carry similar equipment.
■ Health and safety manual.
■ Paint – all water based acrylic paints. Colours carried vary depending on the area
covered.
■ Hi-Visibility vests.
■ Graffiti Removers – citrus based graffiti remover both in liquid and gel form,
methylated sprits, turpentine, paint stripper, acetone, fuelite and commercial
removal products.
■ Water blaster – 4000 psi, 50 metre hose reel, hand spray gun, 1.5 metre extension
and various nozzle attachments.
■ Road cones.
■ “Painting in progress” signs.
■ Emergency paint spill kits.
■ First aid kit.
■ Ladder.
■ Orange hazard light mounted externally (must be visible from both front and
rear of truck).
■ Rags, scrapers, steel pads, stiff bristle brushes, broom/dust pan and brush.
■ MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) forms.
■ Both power and battery operated sanders, angle grinders and belt sanders.
■ Eye protection, hearing protection, chemical resistant gloves, fine particle face
masks.
■ 600 litres of water carrying capacity.
■ Wet paint tape.
■ Roller pole extensions.
■ Fire extinguisher.
■ Signs on rear of truck advising other motorists that the truck stops often.
■ Petrol generators both 750 watts and 2000 watts.
■ All trucks fitted with GPS tracking (this is not a necessity if you are considering a
similar initiative).
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APPENDIX D
Hutt Valley Graffiti Strategy
objectives
methods
Vision Statement: Our vision is for communities to live in a graffiti free city.
■ Maintain a streamlined centralised reporting
system.
Goal: To substantially reduce graffiti (particularly in the highly visible arterial
routes within Hutt City).
■ Develop and implement a means to encourage
staff to report graffiti.
■ Update website information regularly.
Based on a three tier approach:
1. education – to prevent the likelihood of graffiti occurring
2. environment – to increase notifications, reporting and the likelihood of getting
caught
3. enforcement – to increase penalties and encourage people to accept
consequences
objectives
methods
Adopt a rapid
removal policy –
removal within 24
hours of receiving
permission
Include:
Increase use of
intelligence and
assessments of
repeat target
areas and repeat
offenders
■ Build database of repeat target locations,
offenders and tags using digital photography.
■ Analyse trends and patterns to predict where
and when graffiti hits might occur.
■ Secure cooperation from law enforcement
agencies, particularly Community Police.
■ Secure cooperation from graffiti removal
contractors.
■ Proactively visit frequently tagged sites and
target highly visible areas.
■ Undertake CPTED site assessments in repeat
areas and address contributing factors such as
surface and surveillance issues.
■ Target CBD and suburban shopping areas.
■ Engage support from Housing New Zealand.
■ Seek sponsorship from local paint
manufacturers.
Reduce access to
graffiti tools
■ Use volunteers to help out in their own
communities.
Continually
improve
identification
and notification
processes
Include:
Include:
■ Distribute information outlining how to report
and deal with graffiti.
■ Distribute permission forms seeking permanent
consent from private property owners to
remove graffiti.
continued...
Include:
■ Establish a database and use geographical
mapping tools to identify retailers and locations
of offending.
■ Encourage retailers to reduce accessibility of
paint spray cans and other common graffiti
tools. Encourage them to adopt a no sale to
under 18 year olds policy. (Note: this has since
become a legal requirement - refer to page 6
of the Guide).
■ Monitor trends and provide feedback to
retailers and the wider community.
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objectives
methods
Increase
enforcement
■ Establish a database of offenders and known
tags and key locations.
■ Support schools to identify known taggers
and engage with schools to assist taggers to
understand the consequences of their actions.
■ Encourage the legal professionals and courts to
assist in engaging with taggers.
■ Share information with Police about taggers.
Strengthen and
further develop
child, youth and
adult education
Include:
■ Continue to run Art 4 Change mural
programmes.
■ Work with schools via the new New Zealand
Curriculum: social studies, health, music, dance,
visual art and performance.
■ Work with after-school programmes.
■ Work with alternative schools.
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