New Budget Aids Programs
To Eliminate Graffiti In City


By Heidi Hatch
Staff Writer

Getting rid of graffiti in Long Beach is a constant battle, and one that occasionally requires a change in strategy.

This year, the proposed budget for graffiti abatement programs is $400,000, according to Assistant City Manager Chris Shippey. Last year, the planned budget was approximately $374,000, but the city ended up spending close to half a million dollars addressing the graffiti problem. The overspending was just one reason to take a new approach, Shippey said.

The city manager’s office will present new ideas to address graffiti abatement at the City Council meeting next Tuesday, as a part of the budget hearing. While there will be some different approaches, the effort will match what is happening now.

Currently, the city has several lines of defense set up when responding to newly marked areas.

To start, the Public Works Department has a contract with Graffiti Protective Coatings. The company was hired to respond to and cover-up graffiti on private property.

They have a contract through 2009, which is renewable annually, according to Del Davis, manager of administration, planning and facilities.

“They are professionals and try to match the color as best as they can,” Shippey said.

The city also takes advantage of the resources of those who are required to perform community service. They are sent out to paint five days a week. The city is equipped to handle up to seven crews daily, but that number varies based on how many workers are sentenced to community service and show up each day.

“They hit the corridors and the highly traveled areas,” Shippey said. “They paint areas where you cover it up and the next day there is more graffiti.”

The downside to this program is the crews require a lot of supervision, and are not very motivated, according to Shippey.

The city uses its own landscapers when public property is tagged, and also has two city vans that drive around and assist with marked property.

Members of the community help out too. The city organizes cleanups throughout Long Beach, getting more hands on paintbrushes to help cover up the tags.

“It’s an absolute priority of mine, my fingernails are dirty right now from painting on Saturday,” said Fourth District Councilman Patrick O’Donnell. “I drive around in my car and paint over it when I see it. I have 10 different colors of paint in my back seat.”

He said he believes the Broken Window Theory applies to the city’s graffiti problem. If you see one tag, it’s guaranteed tomorrow that there will be two more, which is why he thinks abatement programs are so important; where there is already graffiti more graffiti is invited, so the key is to get it covered up immediately.

Property owners can take advantage of the city’s contract with Graffiti Protective Coatings. A licensed painting contractor or volunteers will come out and paint, which typically takes about two weeks, according to the city’s Web site.

Eligible properties are single-family homes, apartment buildings four units or less, and small commercial buildings less than 2,000 square-feet.

For residents who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, they can cover the graffiti up themselves with free paint provided by the city. Any owner or occupant of private property is eligible for this program. City staff will verify the location, and give residents a voucher to pick up some paint.

Individuals can take advantage of these services that help reduce and discourage graffiti by calling the city’s 24-hour graffiti hotline, 570-2773.

As for the new budget and what it mean for graffiti abatement programs, that will be revealed during the City Council meeting on Sept. 12, Davis said.

“We’re always looking for more efficient ways to do things,” Davis said. “Stay tuned to the 12th for future steps.”