City of Santa Ana Graffiti Task Force ANNUAL REPORT 2008
GRAFFITI TASK FORCE ANNUAL REPORT 2008 Public Works Police Department Parks and Recreation Planning and Building City Attorney Community Development Santa Ana Unified School District Public Works Agency Jim Ross, Executive Director Will Hayes, Maintenance Manager Prepared by: Danell Mercado, Projects Manager
GRAFFITI TASK FORCE ANNUAL REPORT 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Mission Statement II. Graffiti Chairperson Message III. Graffiti Task Force Executive Summary IV. Agency Responsibilities V. Public Works VI. Police Department VII. Parks and Recreation VIII. Planning and Building IX. Community Development X. City Attorney XI. Santa Ana Unified School District APPENDIX
A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAFFITI TASK FORCE CHAIRPERSON As Chair of the Santa Ana Graffiti Task Force, I am pleased to provide you with information on the accomplishments of the Task Force. This Annual Report covers calendar year 2008, which was a successful time period for the Task Force and the City of Santa Ana. Santa Ana is a leader among cities in the State with its comprehensive programs and ideas that mitigate graffiti. Santa Ana is frequently requested to present and share information with other cities and counties and at government organizational conferences. The Task Force is routinely contacted by other jurisdictions to discuss our programs and processes for assistance with developing a graffiti program modeled after the City of Santa Ana. The Task Force is comprised of many City agencies with representatives from the Police Department, Public Works Agency, Planning and Building Agency, Parks and Recreation, City Attorney, Community Development Agency and the Santa Ana Unified School District. Together the agencies collaborated to accomplish many goals set for the Task Force this year. The Task Force has successfully implemented many programs which have reduced the number of requests for service to Council by 67%. Additionally, programs were implemented to improve and enhance removal methods, develop public educations materials, and to proactively address graffiti prevention for both residential and business properties. The Graffiti Task Force is committed to our Mission Statement and to fulfilling the three purposes and expectations of the City's residential and business communities. I want to thank everyone on the Task Force, the community and businesses for their continuing support and dedication to our programs. It is my pleasure to present this record of our accomplishments for your review. Will Hayes Graffiti Task Force, Chair City of Santa Ana
Graffiti Task Force EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Graffiti Task Force (GTF) is comprised of many City agencies with representatives from the Public Works Agency, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Building, Community Development, City Attorney and the Santa Ana Unified School District. All the agencies have worked collaboratively to accomplish many goals set for the Task Force in 2008. The following is a summary of the 2008 accomplishments: The GTF developed an in-house process to address problem properties by implementing a comprehensive referral program to include all agencies involved with the removal of graffiti from non-city properties. Upper level properties are now addressed weekly and removed on the weekends by the contractor. City Council approved a color matching program for Monday through Friday graffiti removal in the commercial corridors of the City with Graffiti Protective Coatings. The program kicked off on August 4, with Main Street, First Street and Seventeenth Street corridors successfully color matched at the end of 2008. The GTF completed a comprehensive information folder/packet. Within the folder/packet is information containing: GTF mission and responsibilities, graffiti reward program, graffiti prevention tactics for residential and commercial properties, graffiti removal tips, and anti-graffiti and restoration resources. The folders are distributed at neighborhood association meetings, business expos and to individuals interested in learning about our program. The Public Works Agency developed guidelines and implemented a Pen Tag program into their graffiti removal process. The Graffiti Removal Team also developed Graffiti Removal Program Standards according to Ordinance. The standards have helped the program by improving the efficiency and consistency of removal, thereby enhancing the visual appearance of graffiti removal efforts. The GTF developed graffiti prevention guidelines for the Planning Department to include in their development standards. These standards take a proactive approach by diminishing available graffiti opportunities on new and remodeled buildings. During the entire year the GTF kept neighborhoods and schools engaged by working with neighborhood associations to educate the community on the City s efforts regarding graffiti. The Graffiti Task Force continuously reviews the City s graffiti programs and efforts for process improvements, and has developed a list of 12 new objectives to complete in 2009.
MISSION STATEMENT GRAFFITI TASK FORCE The mission of the Graffiti Task Force is to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and visit our City, by removing urban blight and effectively sharing resources by coordinating multi-agency efforts for: Graffiti abatement Enforcement Public education
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Public Works Kim McPeck, Supervisor Staff: Crew Leader, Ravel Holland Philip Lecours Mike Daley Chito Saenz Arthur Aguilar Mike Blackmore Johnny Gonzales Monte Floyd Greg Boettcher Greg Smith Picture of Abatement Crew here Team Responsibilities: Remove reported and observed graffiti within City boundaries within 24 hours of hotline calls. Provide 7 days a week removal service. Manage Graffiti Protective Coatings weekend removal work and color matching contract performance. Manage ARC Mid-Cities alley removal work and contract performance. Manage Graffiti Hotline (877) Stop Tag. Update Graffiti Task Force Web page with current information. Attend community meetings to promote Anti-Graffiti Program. Seek potential funding sources for Graffiti Task Force. Provide monthly graffiti update reports to Council. Team Accomplishments 2008: Ensured calls for graffiti were routed to the graffiti hotline. Applied for additional funding through CDBG for an anti-graffiti program. Added color matching services to the Graffiti Protective Coatings contract. Main Street, Seventeenth and First Street were successfully color matched. Added a Pen-Tag program to the Graffiti Abatement Crew. Developed Graffiti Removal Program Standards according to Graffiti Ordinance (Sec. 17-70.2 Removal Provisions, Paragraph a.). Developed comprehensive graffiti brochure/folder to be used at community meetings to promote the Anti-Graffiti Program. Removal for upper level problem properties were addressed weekly by the weekend contractor.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Police Department Jon Centanni, Police Det. Sergeant Staff: Det. Ramona Ruiz Det. James Struck Det. Eric Rivas Team Responsibilities: Develop plan to implement the Graffiti Tracker program. Attend community meetings to promote anti-graffiti related programs. Give anti-graffiti presentations to schools throughout the City. Assist with the design of anti-graffiti marketing materials to be distributed at community meetings and anti-graffiti presentations. Make anti-graffiti related videos of high quality to be shown at school presentations and on local cable TV. Three full-time GTF detectives work proactive graffiti suppression citywide. Provide mediation references for first-time offenders. Conduct weekly probation searches to ensure probationers are in compliance. Promote the City s Graffiti Rewards Program and facilitate its regular use. Conduct regular business inspections to ensure they are in compliance with SAMC 177. Coordinate with School Police for graffiti education presentations in school and participation in truancy sweeps. Team Accomplishments 2008: Provided training for Public Works on court testimony. Executed several search warrants related to graffiti vandalism investigations. Received grant money from Target to purchase a projector, projector screen, a laser pointer, and a scanner. Completed and distributed an anti-graffiti video Caught Slippen which is currently being used by various agencies throughout Orange County. Conducted surveillance operations on several problem areas throughout the city. Tested video surveillance equipment from two popular vendors and helped with product development. Provided cross training to new detectives from other law enforcement agencies on how to develop a GTF Unit (Anaheim PD, CHP, Lake Forest Sheriff Dept. and West Covina PD).
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Police Department Jon Centanni, Police Det. Sergeant Staff: Det. Ramona Ruiz Det. James Struck Det. Eric Rivas Team Accomplishments 2008 (Continued): Conducted an investigation on Geez Clothing. It was discovered that this business was selling graffiti implements to minors in violation of 594.1PC. The business was operating without a business license and was in violation of several fire codes. Working closely with Santa Ana Fire, Code Enforcement and the City Attorney's Office, the GTF Unit was able to close the establishment. Advised Santa Ana College administrators regarding the safety and security of the students during a Graffiti Art Show Exhibit sponsored by Councilwomen Martinez. Created a flowchart which depicts the arrest and adjudication process of a graffiti vandalism arrest. The chart was uploaded to the City's graffiti Web site and also printed on a poster board that is used for presentations. Designed an anti-graffiti decoy sign that could be used during surveillance operations. Public Works provided the unit with two signs. The decoy sign operation was successful and produced an arrest the first day it was used. Conducted random business checks to ensure local businesses were complying with SAMC Section 10-178. Several complaints were filed. Provided training for cadets on graffiti trends and related laws. Provided information to a Japanese film crew that was developing a documentary on the graffiti subculture. Met with several judges regarding their participation in increasing the penalties for graffiti related crimes. Assisted on numerous multi-agency probation checks and search warrant services.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Parks and Recreation Virginia Adame, Senior Recreation Supervisor Paul Johnson, Senior Park Maintenance Supervisor Jeannie Jurado, Recreation Supervisor Staff: Juan L. Lara, Celia Radillo, Carlos Partida, Juventino Salazar, Roberto Banales, James Daniels, Edrulfo Chavez, Sara Mena, Bernardino Rodriguez Team Responsibilities: Inspect, identify, and eradicate graffiti on park sites, bike trails, recreation centers, and senior centers each day using a variety of methods, including painting over and sand/ water blasting. Manage the Youth Court Referral and Graffiti Removal Program. The program provides first time juvenile graffiti offenders with the opportunity to complete their assigned community service hours in a supervised setting. Provide Court Referral and Graffiti Removal Program orientation to youth and parents. Assign youth to weekend crews to remove graffiti at recreation facilities. Track completion hours for the Court Referral and Graffiti Removal Program and prepare reports for referral agencies and program participants. Refer youth to other programs and services. Manage the Adopt-A-Park Program which includes a graffiti removal component. Team Accomplishments 2008: Court Referral Graffiti Removal Program served 83 youths. Improved the parks, facilities and trailways through graffiti removal. Planted over 2000 Boston Ivy vines this year throughout parks, facilities and trailways. Once established the vines will prevent graffiti. Reduced citizen complaints by focusing on graffiti removal in heavily impacted areas. Held two Adopt-A-Park events to conduct general clean-up activities by residents which included graffiti removal, painting of park furniture and playground equipment, planting vines and shrubs, and litter removal.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Planning and Building Paula Courtade, Supervisor Staff: Bill Short Robert Trejo Nelly Starling Joe Rodriguez Victor Madrigal Team Responsibilities: Enforce new anti-graffiti ordinance, conduct citywide proactive enforcement. Address calls for service for graffiti enforcement and graffiti hot line referrals within 48 hours. Recommend building modifications to property owners and business owners to prevent recurrence of graffiti; refer business owners graffiti concerns to SAPD. Promote anti-graffiti program through presentations at schools, parent-teacher associations, neighborhood association meetings, Communication Linkage, and business associations. Participate in the Public Education/Marketing Subcommittee to promote the Anti-Graffiti Campaign. Team Accomplishments 2008: Addressed 316 calls for citywide graffiti enforcement received via other agencies, residents, and observed by staff. Began process to update SAPIN database to better track additional information related to graffiti enforcement, i.e.: were modifications suggested, how many businesses made modifications, what types of modifications were made, etc.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Community Development Scott Kutner, District Manager Insert Community meeting picture here Staff: Lan Nguyen Gabriella Lomeli Team Responsibilities: Establish neighborhood volunteer program. Discuss the activities of the GTF at neighborhood association meetings. Produce marketing materials. Team Accomplishments 2008: Worked with neighborhood associations to develop volunteer programs. Approximately 3,848 linear feet of block wall was repainted from the Windsor Village north perimeter wall Paint Out Day held on May 31, 2008. Discussed the activities of the GTF at all neighborhood association meetings. Provided access to grant search databases to PWA to obtain additional funding. Incorporated the Graffiti Task Force number and City Web site information regarding the Graffiti Removal Program in the South Main Façade Improvement Rebate application.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES City Attorney Joe Fletcher, City Attorney Ben Kaufman, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Hodge, Deputy City Attorney Team Responsibilities: Enforcement of Santa Ana Municipal Codes designed to prevent the proliferation of graffiti throughout Santa Ana. Criminal prosecution of individuals and businesses charged with violations of Santa Ana s anti-graffiti ordinances. Review and research pertinent to Santa Ana Municipal Code and California Penal Code sections to be used in anti-graffiti enforcement. Educate the Police, Community Preservation, and other enforcement agencies on the legal tools available for enforcement and prosecution in the fight against graffiti. Research and answer any legal questions presented regarding the enforcement and prosecution of anti-graffiti ordinances. Team Accomplishments 2008: Prosecuted multiple criminal cases against local businesses for violations of Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 10-178(a), failure to secure spray paint and other graffiti implements. Final disposition of each case required payment of fines, employee training, posting of signs, and confirmation of compliance. Fulfilled duties in advisory capacity to provide pertinent information regarding anti-graffiti ordinances to task force and enforcement agencies, including attendance at various meetings and presentations. Researched policies and ordinances of other cities with respect to anti-graffiti enforcement, prosecution, and cost of abatement recovery.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Santa Ana Unified School District Walter McIntyre, Sergeant Kevin Phillips, Officer Anne Pliska, Officer Team Responsibilities: Remove graffiti from School District property. Work with SAPD to set up graffiti presentations at school sites. Continue truancy program. Work proactive graffiti suppression at all school sites. Provide mediation references for first-time offenders. Team Accomplishments 2008: The Graffiti Tracker program was implemented at our department with the support of SAPD and the cameras provided. The cameras are now used by the police personnel department throughout the school district. Provided at the request of school administrators and parent groups presentations on anti-graffiti and vandalism on school campuses. Provided local schools with educational materials and information on anti-graffiti related programs. Developed knowledge of investigative tools related to My-Space Internet site. Installed camera system at one school with monitoring provided in police dispatch, in addition to evaluating mobile surveillance camera systems. Conducted Truancy Sweeps on high school age students identified through school records to have missed 15 or more days. With many of these students, the secondary objective was to provide intervention into their lifestyle of tagging and gang life. Provided true-value restitution figures to probation for the court process.
Appendix 1. Graffiti Task Force 2009 Action Plan 2. Graffiti Task Force January through December 2008 City Council Update 3. Graffiti Task Force 2008 Completed Action Plan
Graffiti Task Force 2009 Action Plan 1) Goal: Establish a PWA Court Referral program to assist the Graffiti Abatement Team. Determine type of assistance needed and how to integrate into the Graffiti Abatement Team program. Measurement: Program implemented by March 2009. PWA/PD 2) Goal: Establish a program to distribute graffiti abatement kits for use by volunteers. Develop a list of items that would be useful for residents and commercial stakeholders to remove graffiti from private property. Measurement: Graffiti paint-out kit implemented by July 2009. PWA/CDA 3) Goal: Develop and implement procedures to expand abatement cost recovery. Obtain City Council approval of ordinance changes and implement procedures for the recovery of all costs incurred by the City from the defendants. Measurement: Obtain approval from City Council of ordinance changes by October 2009 and develop procedures. City Attorney
4) Goal: Target upper level hot spots and encourage participation in the Downtown and South Main Facade Programs. Develop a list of hot spots by touring the Downtown and South Main Street areas and review graffiti removal databases. Measurement: Meet with potential Façade program property owners to educate them on how to participate in the program by December 2009. CDA/PWA 5) Goal: Enhance graffiti related truancy enforcement. Conduct additional truancy enforcement activities. Measurement: Perform four Truancy Task Forces sweeps by December 2009. SAUSD / PD 6) Goal: Explore the idea of implementing a Parent Project Program with a non-profit, to teach parents how to work with their children and encourage good citizenship. Determine feasibility of implementing a Parent Project to reduce recidivism rate of previous graffiti offenders. Measurement: Program implemented by December 2009. Parks & Recreation/City Attorney 7) Goal: Investigate other graffiti tracking programs on the market and perform a cost/benefit analysis to determine continuance of Graffiti Tracker. Perform a cost benefit analysis of all graffiti tracking programs available. Measurement: Make a decision prior to renewal of Graffiti Tracker Program contract in June 2009. PD/PWA Page 2 of 4
8) Goal: Educate businesses using informational materials in regards to graffiti. Focus will be on addressing etching on glass windows and doors. Develop package to educate business on window graffiti and how to combat and remove. Measurement: Devise and implement deployment plan by end of March 2009. PBA 9) Goal: Target upper level, problematic commercial properties in regards to accessibility Issues. Review the possibility of requesting structural modifications that would facilitate compliance with Chapter 17, as well as state, building, and fire codes. Investigate problematic properties and develop solutions within 30 days of complaint. Measurement: Provide reports on all properties inspected with results of any modifications requested/ completed. PBA 10) Goal: Amend the Citywide Design Standards to include section on graffiti prevention. Develop standards that can be used by residential and commercial customers. Measurement: Standards developed for Citywide Design Standards by October 2009, and train Planning staff. PBA 11) Goal: Prepare a comprehensive Graffiti Prevention Checklist Develop a checklist of graffiti prevention standards for residents, business owners and developers. Measurement: Checklist developed and available for the public by July 2009. PBA Page 3 of 4
12) Goal: Create a database of High Target graffiti properties and link to SAPIN The development of the database and SAPIN identification will allow staff to quickly identify high graffiti areas that require extra preventive graffiti measures. Measurement: Database and software link developed by August 2009 and provide staff training by November 2009. PBA Page 4 of 4
Graffiti Removal Monthly Graffiti Task Force Activity January through December 2008 City Council Update Year to Date January 08 Thru December 08 Total locations received from Hotline calls 15,546 Total locations responded to by PWA Abatement Crew 14,591 Total locations referred to other agencies 375 Total locations - unable to find in field 338 Total Sq. Ft. removed by PWA Abatement Crew 3,392,283 Total Sq. Ft. removed by Contractor 483,794 Total Sq. Ft. removed by Parks & Recreation 678,030 Total Sq. Ft. removed by Parks & Recreation Graffiti Referral Program (July 08 thru Dec. 08 only) 75,530 Total Sq. Ft. removed 4,529,637 Total volunteers requesting paint for their neighborhood (March 08 thru Dec. 08 only) 35 Police Efforts Number of arrests by SAPD 339 Number of probation searches by SAPD 152 Number of arrests by SA School Police 103 Restitution received for graffiti cases $42,301 Number of $500.00 Graffiti Rewards awarded 21 Code Enforcement Number of complaints addressed from Hotline referrals 261 Number of Administrative Citations issued (March 08 thru Dec. 08 only) 19 Presentations Community 22 Schools 19 Anti-graffiti poster distributed 415
Graffiti Task Force 2008 Action Plan Year-End Update 1) Goal: Investigate the possibility of adding a Pen Tag removal component to the graffiti abatement program. Determine budget amount to contract out Pen Tag Removal. Develop guidelines to integrate Pen Tag program with abatement standards. Measurement: Pen Tag program implemented by September 2008. Update: PWA Completed: Staff has brainstormed solutions to successfully integrate an ongoing pen tag into their graffiti removal program. The Graffiti Removal Team has reorganized their routes according to the weekly street sweeping areas. The new route system commenced in September. 2) Goal: Investigate the possibility of adding a color matching component to the graffiti abatement program. Benchmark comparable cities color matching programs. Determine most efficient cost effective program to implement a color matching program in Santa Ana. Measurement: Color matching program implemented by September 2008. Update: PWA Completed: Staff benchmarked Anaheim and Long Beach color matching programs. Anaheim invested in high end color matching equipment which was not working and waiting repairs when we visited their city. Long Beach uses a contractor to perform their color matching program. Staff determined the most efficient cost effective program to im plement color matching would be to use the current weekend contractor. City Council approved a color matching program for Monday through Friday in the commercial corri dors of the City with Graffiti Protective Coatings. The program kicked off on August 4 th. Page 1 of 4
The contractor focused on color matching the buildings along Main Street from First to Warner and First Street from Fairview to the 5 Freeway. 3) Goal: Develop Graffiti Removal Program Standards according to Ordinance (Sec. 17-70.2 Removal Provisions, Paragraph a.) Work with the Graffiti Abatement Crew to include all aspects of graffiti removal in the Program Standards. Measurement: Standards developed and implemented by September 2008. Update: PWA and City Attorney Completed: Graffiti Abatement team met weekly to brainstorm and develop standards to include consistent removal methods for walls, concrete, light poles, utility boxes, etc. Sample pictures have been inserted into the manual of the different types of removals the team encounters in the field. The standards manual will be completed in September with the Graffiti Abatement Team trained and performing consistently on removal procedures. This outcome has been less noticeable graffiti removal area by blending win with the background surfaces. 4) Goal: Revise Graffiti Ordinance to address issues not covered by the current ordinance. Put together committee to address the following issues to be included in the graffiti ordinance: Adjacent property owner remedies Possession of slap tags and graffiti implements Include tips to spray cans for retail establishments Measurement: Ordinance changes approved in December 2008 Update: City Attorney, Police, PWA and PBA The Graffiti Task Force has brainstormed ideas to be included into the ordinance changes. Staff has reviewed suggestions with the City Attorneys Office and they are determining if the current ordinance covers issues the Graffiti Task Force is reviewing. The attorney s office is also researching the possibility of including parental responsibilities and restitution within the ordinance so the City can implement a parental program. Page 2 of 4
5) Goal: Research options to develop a list of graffiti prevention tactics for the community to include and include in Graffiti Task Force brochure. Development comprehensive graffiti prevention brochure. Measurement: Brochure distributed in August 2008. Update: PWA, PBA. PD and Parks Completed: Graffiti prevention tactics have been researched and the task force has agreed that a folder with inserts on graffiti prevention tactics, task force information, references, etc. will be put together. Information will be in both Spanish and Vietnamese. The new folders will be available for distribution at business meetings and association meetings in September. 6) Goal: Coordinate with Planning and Building to ensure new developments consider graffiti mitigation measures. Work with planning to develop guidelines to be included in development standards. Measurement: Guidelines developed by December 2008. Update: PWA, PBA and PD PWA and PBA met to discuss how to integrate graffiti mitigation measures into their DRC process. Staff agreed that a flyer / brochure could be developed for distribution by the Planning Department to applicants proposing new projects or major renovations to give guidelines on best practices to mitigate graffiti. Graffiti mitigation regulations for new developments may be considered. 7) Goal: Keep neighborhoods engaged in Graffiti Task Force. Work with neighborhood associations to educate the community on the cities efforts regarding graffiti. Measurement: Present graffiti information to 6 neighborhood associations by December 2008. Update: CDA Completed: Information and materials have been provided throughout the year at all neighborhood association meetings regarding the City s graffiti efforts. Page 3 of 4
8) Goal: Target problem properties to mitigate future graffiti and take proactive corrective actions. Continue to develop list of problem properties Measurement: Process for addressing problem properties developed and implemented by June, 2008. Update: PBA and PWA Completed. In house process to address problem properties has been integrated into the hotline process by implementing a comprehensive referral program to include all agencies that remove graffiti from non city properties. Upper level properties are now being ad dressed weekly and being removed on the weekends