Graffiti in Tucson If you have questions contact: Sgt. Jack Woolridge TPD Graffiti Unit Jack.Woolridge@tucsonaz.gov g@ g B.O.M.A. of Greater Tucson May 22, 2012 1
The Problem Graffiti abatement in the United States is estimated to cost $12 billion in tax money annually and this number does not reflect personal and/or private costs. This issue has challenged cities for decades. Incidents have grown. New methods used by taggers have resulted in different responses by municipalities ii lii over the years, with ihvarying results. 2
Overview: City of Tucson TheCity of Tucson has dedicated resources to graffiti abatement, enforcement and prosecution continuously for more than 15 years. Some education efforts have also been supported at different times. Counting the graffiti contract, resources that can be tracked specifically to graffiti efforts (staff, equipment, materials as described in this presentation) the City of Tucson has dedicated more than $1.2 million to graffiti Abatement in the past year. 3
Definitions Tag Physical act of vandalism Moniker Name of the individual Crew Group of taggers 4
Who Does Graffiti in Tucson? Graffiti Damage is done for a variety of reasons by a variety of people, some as individuals and some as part of a CREW or GANG Some graffiti is tied to gang activity, 5% 2%. Graffiti iis found din all areas of the city (and the region) Graffiti includes use of paint, markers as well as etching It is estimated by TPD that there are 39 graffiti crews in Tucson, with 6 40 members in a crew 5
Why Do Taggers Tag? Notoriety Peer pressure Low self esteem A way to rebel against authority 6
Most Common Characteristics of a Local Tagger Male 18 30 years of age Desires Notoriety Substance abuse Criminal History Will continue to tag even after being arrested 7
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Current City of Tucson Efforts: Graffiti Abatement 9
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Citywide Graffiti Contract Now funded from Department of Transportation Budget 2011 Contract Total $720,000 (HURF/General Fund) For fiscal year 2011: 38,943incidents were abated For fiscal year 2012 (July 1 December 31): 29,948 incidents were abated 2012 Contract Total $720,000 (HURF)* *This contract allows for abatement services in the amount of $60,000 per month ($720,000 per year). At a normal price of $12.90 per act. 11
Types of Properties Abated Per City Contractor Data Private 30% Painted wall Trash containers Curbs Landscaping Window Etching Structures Public 70% Utility Pole Utility Box Signs Drainage Ways, Tunnels, Washes Underpass Structures Buses Sidewalks and Asphalt Structures 12
Other Transportation Expenditures for Graffiti i DOT In house Costs: Abatement in washes and hotline staffing 2010 $10,000 000 in start tup costs to purchase equipment t(i.e. sprayers, hoses, guns, water containers, etc.) $60,000 for a year supply of paint Total equipment and supplies: $70,000 2011 Street Maintenance Crew Leader & Senior Street Maintenance Worker assigned to graffiti in washes Customer Service Representative to staff the Graffiti Hotline Total annual salaries: $150,965 13
Other Departments Involved with Graffiti These departments clean up graffiti on city properties by using in house maintenance staff (timespent on graffiti not tracked separately) Parks & Recreation Environmental lservices General Services Tucson Water Housing and Community Development Code Enforcement staff are involved with graffiti in approximately 10 15 15 cases per year (time spent on graffiti not tracked separately) 14
How to Report Graffiti The City has several avenues for reporting graffiti: Smart phone app MyTucson http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/graffiti/report p// /g / p 792 CITY Email Graffiti@tucsonaz.gov SeeClickFix.com/tucson 88 Crime Tip Line with information about a TAGGER/CREW New efforts are being made to coordinate these and makethem more effective 15
Enforcement 16
Tucson Police Department The Graffiti Unit of the Police Department is comprised of two full time officers and one part time supervisor. The Graffiti Unit provides surveillance, intelligence and trend analysis. Theanalysis provided by theunit helps to identify repeat offenders and identify monikers Approximate cost of unit: $247,000 Officers in each of the other four patrol divisions are currently responsible for graffiti happening in their area. Thegraffiti unit assists them with intelligence andtrend analysis. (time spent on graffiti not tracked separately) 217 graffiti related related arrests were made citywide in 2011 17
Downtown Pilot Project 18
Pilot History In March of 2011, a pilot area was initiated within the downtown area. The area was defined by Sixth Street, Broadway, Main and Euclid. This half mile square area represented the most hard hit area in the City. 19
Historical Graph 600 Graffiti Incidents Cleaned Graffiti Project Area Year to Date Comparison by Month Jan to April 2011 vs. 2012 500 441 488 400 356 380 396 300 241 266 262 200 100 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr 2011 Graffiti Incidents 2012 Graffiti Incidents
Downtown Pilot Area In 2011: 4,746 incidents were cleaned although number of tags is estimated to be much greater The TPD Graffiti unit spent approximately 80% of their time in the pilot area 60 arrests were made by TPD The Downtown Partnership has actively participated, through such efforts as requiring façade program grantees to maintain areas graffiti-freefree and via clean up of some city properties Next Steps: Work with stakeholders to review, assess and plan for the future 21
Next Steps Community, Business, and Public partnership a ownership of the problem Dialog with ihutility companies beginning, i to discuss appropriate funding, reimbursement and/or contributions for graffiti abatement onutilitystructures New form to track requests by Ward being developed Automated response to requestors of abatement in the works 22
Additional Resources/Approaches Being Pursued Possible expansion of the TPD Graffiti Unitin in order to more aggressively address this issue city wide Study of other municipalities methods to address graffiti issues (dialog with City of Phoenix already started) Review ways to connect with community/neighborhood graffiti efforts, particularlyinabatementandeducation in abatement and education Possible additional staff in Prosecutor s Office (Investigator) to assist with most difficult cases Use of Street Surveillance Cameras to assist Police Response Revisiting whether graffiti offenders or those required to do community service can hl help in abatement bt t Additional legislative changes to both local and state law 23
Additional Considerations As demands grow and city funds for graffiti remain static or decline, the following must be considered: Graffiti Abatement is now funded through the General Fund but the City of Tucson is researching additional resources and funding to help supplement the cost Apply greater percentage of available city funds to enforcement and prosecution Prioritization of properties to be abated with public funds is needed (e.g. public property, abandoned properties/unimproved areas may be higher priority) 24
TCC 16 30 Graffiti prevention, prohibition and removal. Notice of violation and abatement. Upon the receipt of notice requiring abatement from the graffiti abatement official, any person owning or otherwise being in control of the property shall remove or abate all graffiti within the time frame specified in such notice. The graffiti abatement official shall give notice utilizing the procedures set forth in section 16 45 of this chapter, except that the notice need not include a statement describingthe righttoan to administrative appeal, since none exists. The graffiti abatement official may cause the removal of graffiti from private property should the property owner or person in control fail to remove graffiti after the required notice. The city or its authorized representative is expressly authorized to enter private property p and abate graffiti.
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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design