Graffiti Busters

Graffiti is costly and destructive, and it sends a message that a community is not concerned about the appearance of its neighborhoods. It can generate fear of neighborhood crime and instability and, most importantly, it is against the law.

In 2002-03, Graffiti Busters responded to a record 23,373 calls and cleaned a record 30,395 sites. The Graffiti Busters continue to partner with neighborhood, community and business groups to control the spread of graffiti.

Phoenix constantly seeks partnerships to expand efforts to eradicate graffiti. Successful existing partnerships include Phoenix Community Alliance, Downtown Phoenix Partnership's Copper Square Ambassadors, Pioneer Ford, Lou Grubb Chevrolet, Alltel and Verizon's wireless services, Danny's Family Car Wash, Arizona Public Service and the Salt River Project.

The Graffiti Busters program has also instituted a pilot program to test a motion-sensory camera system to detect graffiti vandals. Also called Flash Cam, it detects motion and takes a series of 35mm photographs and blares out a message to vandals to cease their activities.

The Flash Cam has been placed in various locations throughout Phoenix on properties that have been repeatedly hit with graffiti. Graffiti Busters prepare the sites by removing all existing graffiti.

They then install the system and English/Spanish "No Trespassing" signs. Owners provide written permission to install the camera and the "No Trespassing" signs.

The cameras have been placed at various locations and remain at those locations four to six weeks. All of the sites remained free of graffiti.

If you would like to learn about opportunities to reduce graffiti in your neighborhood, contact Graffiti Busters at (602) 495-0323. To have graffiti removed, call the 24-hour hotline at (602) 495-7014 or e-mail graffiti.buster.nsd@phoenix.gov.

William Hogans is Phoenix's Graffiti Busters Program coordinator.

Graffiti Busters, businesses, residents team to control spread of vandalism