Graffiti Reduction - City of Armadale
Graffiti Reduction - City of Armadale
Graffiti Reduction - City of Armadale
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<strong>Graffiti</strong><br />
<strong>Reduction</strong><br />
<strong>Graffiti</strong> and vandalism can strongly affect people’s<br />
perceptions <strong>of</strong> crime and personal security. They<br />
give the impression that the area is unmanaged or<br />
out <strong>of</strong> control. Moreover, some criminologists<br />
suggest that the presence <strong>of</strong> vandalism and graffiti<br />
not only impacts on fear <strong>of</strong> crime, but also on the<br />
level <strong>of</strong> crime itself.<br />
Working in Partnership<br />
to Reduce <strong>Graffiti</strong><br />
The ‘broken windows’ theory, has identified possible<br />
links between disorder, fear <strong>of</strong> crime and more<br />
serious crime. This theory proposes that if a broken<br />
window is left and not repaired, the other windows<br />
will soon be broken in response to the message that<br />
‘no-one cares’. It is argued that this in turn creates a<br />
perception that crime in general is on the increase,<br />
and as a consequence people will be less inclined to<br />
use public places. With fewer people using public<br />
places, there is less deterrence to crime, which will<br />
rise. Hence the perception <strong>of</strong> rising crime becomes<br />
a reality.<br />
Locked Bag 2<br />
ARMADALE WA 6992<br />
7 Orchard Avenue<br />
ARMADALE WA 6112<br />
Phone: (08) 9399 0111<br />
Fax: (08) 9399 0184<br />
Email: info@armadale.gov.au<br />
Web: www.armadale.wa.gov.au<br />
July 2008<br />
REPORT AND REMOVE<br />
GRAFFITI<br />
State <strong>Graffiti</strong> Hotline 1800 442 255<br />
Police (08) 131 444<br />
Crime Stoppers 1800 333
Frequently<br />
asked questions<br />
Why remove graffiti as soon as possible<br />
<strong>Graffiti</strong> vandals crave notoriety. Rapid removal <strong>of</strong> graffiti reduces<br />
the level <strong>of</strong> recognition and reward, therefore the sooner graffiti<br />
is removed from an area the less likely it is to reoccur.<br />
If I leave the graffiti on my wall won’t the vandals<br />
be satisfied and leave it alone<br />
The <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Armadale</strong>’s<br />
response<br />
The<br />
Q A<br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Armadale</strong> takes the following steps to help reduce<br />
There is overwhelming evidence to show that graffiti attracts<br />
graffiti – not only to your wall but also to adjoining properties.<br />
What about graffiti on other structures such as<br />
railway stations and power poles<br />
The <strong>City</strong> does not remove graffiti from State government assets<br />
such as these. Any graffiti on State government property can be<br />
reported on the <strong>Graffiti</strong> Hotline (1800 44 22 55) or the Goodbye<br />
<strong>Graffiti</strong> website at www.goodbyegraffiti.wa<br />
What can I do to help<br />
Report graffiti <strong>of</strong>fences on your own property directly to the<br />
Police (131 444). You are encouraged to photograph the graffiti<br />
as evidence, then remove the graffiti as soon as possible.<br />
Report all other graffiti to the <strong>Graffiti</strong> Hotline (1800 44 22 55) or<br />
the Goodbye <strong>Graffiti</strong> website at www.goodbyegraffiti.wa<br />
Promote a graffiti free area to your neighbours and local<br />
business owners.<br />
graffiti:<br />
n all staff proactively report graffiti<br />
n removes reported graffiti on <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Armadale</strong> facilities within<br />
two working days<br />
n encourages residents and developers to apply anti-graffiti<br />
coatings and to consider different styles <strong>of</strong> fencing or the<br />
installation <strong>of</strong> shrubs and creepers, which deter graffiti<br />
n supports community volunteers with materials to remove<br />
graffiti<br />
n educates local primary school students about the costs and<br />
effects <strong>of</strong> graffiti<br />
n provides information and support for graffiti prevention and<br />
removal<br />
n engenders community awareness, ownership and<br />
responsibility<br />
n works directly with the Police to ensure a coordinated<br />
approach to identifying and catching graffiti vandals.<br />
You can report graffiti on Council property on the <strong>Graffiti</strong> Hotline<br />
1800 44 22 55 or direct to Council on 9399 0111.<br />
For further information please contact the<br />
<strong>City</strong>’s Community Development Officer (Safety)<br />
Phone: (08) 9399 0111<br />
Fax: (08) 9399 0184<br />
Email: info@armadale.gov.au<br />
Protect your property<br />
Property owners can deter graffiti by applying the following<br />
crime prevention tips:<br />
n plant clinging vegetation such as ivy to cover and protect<br />
walls and other large flat surfaces<br />
n plant thorny or thick bushes in front <strong>of</strong> large walls and<br />
fences to reduce visibility and access to that surface<br />
n limit access to ro<strong>of</strong>s – move commercial dumpsters away<br />
from walls and cover drainpipes to prevent vandals from<br />
climbing them<br />
n increase lighting around your property, use motion<br />
detectors to draw attention to movement<br />
n textured walls are a deterrent to graffiti writers. Consider<br />
texturing outside walls if you are a regular victim <strong>of</strong> graffiti<br />
n consider applying a protective anti-graffiti coating that<br />
provides a barrier between your property’s surface and<br />
the graffiti<br />
n record details <strong>of</strong> colours <strong>of</strong> paints/coatings used so that<br />
when graffiti is removed through ‘painting out’ an exact<br />
match is achieved. The cheapest way to remove graffiti is<br />
to paint it out.