Graffiti, what can we do?

Graffiti is an act of vandalism and it places a significant burden on the City of Guelph.

What it does:
• It increases the fear of crime in the area and requires a large portion of city funds and resources to eradicate the graffiti.
• It reduces property values.
• It destroys property.
• It undermines visitors and residents confidence in the safety and security of the city.

What you can do about Graffiti:
• If you know of someone or witnessed an act of Graffiti, report it to the Guelph Police Service or Crime Stoppers.
• If your property or business is marked by graffiti report to police and then remove it as soon as possible.
• The quick removal of graffiti is the most effective means to prevent further acts of vandalism.

Prevention Tips:

• Apply Graffiti resistant coating to protect walls.
• Install video surveillance to monitor isolated areas.
• Crime prevention through environmental design.
• Increase lighting and visibility in vulnerable areas.
• Restrict access to walls by planting creeping vines and bushes.
• Use chain link fences as opposed to other fences which create a solid surface for graffiti.
• Wall murals are known to eliminate or reduce tempting blank canvases and effectively deter the spread of graffiti as well as beautifying the city.

"Graffiti is like a dandelion, if you ignore the first one more will follow"