The City of Santa Clarita is proud to report that in calendar year 2012 (January 2012-December 2012) officials saw a decrease in graffiti in local neighborhoods. The Santa Clarita Graffiti Removal Task Force’s annual report recorded 6,280 tags removed from local neighborhoods for the 2012 calendar year, compared to 6,333 tags removed in 2011.

“The City has a zero tolerance for graffiti vandalism on public and private property, and the Graffiti Task Force continues to make significant strides in eliminating vandalism that disrupts the aesthetic appeal of our communities,” said Mayor Bob Kellar.  “By educating youth and empowering residents to report graffiti, the City has helped reduce tags and enhance awareness of vandalism consequences.”

Additional highlights from 2012 Graffiti Task Force report included; education and outreach efforts with 700 students, teachers and parents; 15 surveillance operations which resulted in the arrest of 111 vandals, including 10 prolific taggers; completion of a three month beautification project for residents in the Jakes Way area of Canyon Country, which encompassed the removal of more than 1,000 instances of graffiti vandalism and patchwork painting.

The City’s Graffiti team also attended eight restitution hearings, which resulted in more than $70,000 awarded to the City for graffiti vandalism.

The Graffiti Task Force takes a three-prong approach to graffiti abatement, including quick eradication, arrest of graffiti vandals, and community education and outreach.  The team works to keep communities clean and safe with efficient removal of graffiti by a well-trained and inspired work force, effective collaborations with external agencies, proactive planning, and preventative outreach to local youth and community involvement.

The Graffiti Task Force is a collaborative action group that works together to abate graffiti, and develop strategies and partnerships to prevent graffiti from occurring in the first place.  This group is made up of City employees from different divisions and various community partners including Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles County, College of the Canyon, and the William S. Hart Union High School District.

To report graffiti, contact the City’s Graffiti Hotline at (661) 25-CLEAN (5326) or submit a request online through the City’s eService system.

For more information on the Graffiti Removal Task Force, please visit www.santa-clarita.com/graffititaskforce.