SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF GRAFFITI REMOVAL FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO THE PUBLIC. The Chicago Method

Transcription

1 SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF GRAFFITI REMOVAL FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO THE PUBLIC The Chicago Method

2 The Panel Alderman Proco Joe Moreno 1 st Ward Chicago Adam Natenshon Founder, Graffiti Action Hero.org SoSafe US/Canada Master Distributor Jerry Gabrielatos, 1 st Ward Chicago, Senior Advisor

3 The Problem Graffiti tagging causes neighborhood decline by... Encouraging street delinquency and criminality Depressing commercial activity Discouraging community reinvestment Reducing property values Draining tax dollars from constructive uses such as parks, schools and streetscape improvements.

4 The Solution: Graffiti Action Days Volunteer graffiti removal events empower the community to reclaim their neighborhood from the visual blight of graffiti.

5 Accomplishments To Date 20 Graffiti Action Days since summer 2012 resulting in: Approximately 160 blocks cleaned Approximately 240 volunteers Approximately 10,000 tags removed

6 Mission To harness the power of green innovation to empower urban renovation by mobilizing a volunteer army to rid our cities of graffiti.

7 Effectiveness SoSafe graffiti removers: Act fast Completely remove most tags within minutes Clean without impacting the underlying surface Volunteers are foot soldiers to City s mounted cavalry

8 Focus Focus on the low-hanging fruit* where ~80% of tags are Paint, marker, grease pen, stickers, etc. Non-porous surfaces Mailboxes Newspaper boxes Parking meters Lamp posts Bus benches Signs *Does not work on acid etched windows or large porous surfaces such as limestone and concrete.

9 The Graffiti Action Day 10 am to noon followed by lunch donated by local restaurant Brief training and demo (15 minutes) Tools: SoSafe Red and Blue Spray Bottles Ventless goggles and nitrile gloves Scouring pads Rags and Buckets SoSafe Rapid Off and Scrappers (for sticker removal)

10 Safety and Enviro Sustainability SoSafe Graffiti Removers are highly environmentally-friendly and therefore safe enough to be used by non-professionals Non-Toxic Non-Flammable Non-Aerosol Low VOC ph Neutral Biodegradable No Xylene No Acetone No Toluene

11 The Cost Graffiti Action Days shift the cost burden of graffiti removal from the municipal budget to volunteer neighborhood groups. Public Works cost: $25 to $50 per tag Volunteers cost: $0.50 to $1 per tag

12 The Impact Volunteers can quickly and safely remove hundreds of graffiti tags. Volunteers report cleaning an estimated 30 to 50 tags per person, during the two-hour events. The Math 12 volunteers x 40 tags = 480 tags City ave. cost per tag $35 x 480 tags =$16,800 savings for city and 480 fewer tags

13 Graffiti Action Day Kit Kits come in multiples of 12 Include: SoSafe Graffiti Remover Supplies Choice of customizable poster Customizable press release Product use sheet Waiver form Typical cost: $350

14 Leadership Typically spearheaded by Aldermanic Offices Chambers of Commerce Municipalities Schools and Church Groups Block Clubs Neighborhood Orgs Non-Profit Groups

15 Phase 2 Working with Property Owners

16 Reducing the Amount of Graffiti 1. Identify buildings that are tagged the most frequently.

17 Reducing the Amount of Graffiti 2. Discuss the problem with the owners of these buildings. 3. Present options to owner to deter continued tagging.

18 Instead of Graffiti, how about...? Installing a Mural

19 Instead of Graffiti, how about...? Using an Anti-Graffiti Shield

20 Instead of Graffiti, how about...? Empowering property owners of the most tagged buildings with resources to perform the removal.

21 Reducing the Amount of Graffiti Tagging is about visibility. By removing the potential for the most visible spaces to be tagged, the overall amount of graffiti will be reduced. What are the consequences? 1. Faster response time by the City s Graffiti Blasters 2. Resources of the City can be utilized more efficiently.

22 Q&A Alderman Proco Joe Moreno Adam Natenshon Booth #2004 Jerry Gabrielatos, 1 st Ward Chicago, Senior Advisor

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