Graffiti Reduction - City of Armadale

Graffiti
Reduction
Graffiti and vandalism can strongly affect people’s
perceptions of crime and personal security. They
give the impression that the area is unmanaged or
out of control. Moreover, some criminologists
suggest that the presence of vandalism and graffiti
not only impacts on fear of crime, but also on the
level of crime itself.
Working in Partnership
to Reduce Graffiti
The ‘broken windows’ theory, has identified possible
links between disorder, fear of crime and more
serious crime. This theory proposes that if a broken
window is left and not repaired, the other windows
will soon be broken in response to the message that
‘no-one cares’. It is argued that this in turn creates a
perception that crime in general is on the increase,
and as a consequence people will be less inclined to
use public places. With fewer people using public
places, there is less deterrence to crime, which will
rise. Hence the perception of rising crime becomes
a reality.
Locked Bag 2
ARMADALE WA 6992
7 Orchard Avenue
ARMADALE WA 6112
Phone: (08) 9399 0111
Fax: (08) 9399 0184
Email: info@armadale.gov.au
Web: www.armadale.wa.gov.au
July 2008
REPORT AND REMOVE
GRAFFITI
State Graffiti Hotline 1800 442 255
Police (08) 131 444
Crime Stoppers 1800 333

Frequently
asked questions
Why remove graffiti as soon as possible
Graffiti vandals crave notoriety. Rapid removal of graffiti reduces
the level of recognition and reward, therefore the sooner graffiti
is removed from an area the less likely it is to reoccur.
If I leave the graffiti on my wall won’t the vandals
be satisfied and leave it alone
The City of Armadale’s
response
The
Q A
City of Armadale takes the following steps to help reduce
There is overwhelming evidence to show that graffiti attracts
graffiti – not only to your wall but also to adjoining properties.
What about graffiti on other structures such as
railway stations and power poles
The City does not remove graffiti from State government assets
such as these. Any graffiti on State government property can be
reported on the Graffiti Hotline (1800 44 22 55) or the Goodbye
Graffiti website at www.goodbyegraffiti.wa
What can I do to help
Report graffiti offences on your own property directly to the
Police (131 444). You are encouraged to photograph the graffiti
as evidence, then remove the graffiti as soon as possible.
Report all other graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline (1800 44 22 55) or
the Goodbye Graffiti website at www.goodbyegraffiti.wa
Promote a graffiti free area to your neighbours and local
business owners.
graffiti:
n all staff proactively report graffiti
n removes reported graffiti on City of Armadale facilities within
two working days
n encourages residents and developers to apply anti-graffiti
coatings and to consider different styles of fencing or the
installation of shrubs and creepers, which deter graffiti
n supports community volunteers with materials to remove
graffiti
n educates local primary school students about the costs and
effects of graffiti
n provides information and support for graffiti prevention and
removal
n engenders community awareness, ownership and
responsibility
n works directly with the Police to ensure a coordinated
approach to identifying and catching graffiti vandals.
You can report graffiti on Council property on the Graffiti Hotline
1800 44 22 55 or direct to Council on 9399 0111.
For further information please contact the
City’s Community Development Officer (Safety)
Phone: (08) 9399 0111
Fax: (08) 9399 0184
Email: info@armadale.gov.au
Protect your property
Property owners can deter graffiti by applying the following
crime prevention tips:
n plant clinging vegetation such as ivy to cover and protect
walls and other large flat surfaces
n plant thorny or thick bushes in front of large walls and
fences to reduce visibility and access to that surface
n limit access to roofs – move commercial dumpsters away
from walls and cover drainpipes to prevent vandals from
climbing them
n increase lighting around your property, use motion
detectors to draw attention to movement
n textured walls are a deterrent to graffiti writers. Consider
texturing outside walls if you are a regular victim of graffiti
n consider applying a protective anti-graffiti coating that
provides a barrier between your property’s surface and
the graffiti
n record details of colours of paints/coatings used so that
when graffiti is removed through ‘painting out’ an exact
match is achieved. The cheapest way to remove graffiti is
to paint it out.