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In an effort to rid our city of
this unsightly destruction, and to take a more aggressive stance
with graffiti abatement, the City has established a Graffiti
Abatement Pilot Program—TAG-OUT. This program will be piloted in
the area with the highest concentration of incidences of graffiti. The program seeks to eradicate graffiti in the
pilot area within 1 day, when possible. The program includes both
public and private property. Additionally, a graffiti hotline has
been established so that incidents can be addressed quickly. The
City will initiate agreements with volunteers, civic leagues, and
residents to establish procedures, levels of commitment, rules,
and responsibilities associated with the program.
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PREVENT
Ongoing Upkeep
Keep your property clean and neat.
Promptly Remove Graffiti
Removal within 24 to 48 hours significantly reduces the chance or
reoccurrence. Use graffiti resistant materials or coatings on a
chronically “tagged” wall.
Control Access & Thru Traffic
Incorporate shrubs, thorny plants, and vines to restrict vandal
access. Use fences, controlled entrance and exits, rails, and
other barriers. Limit access to roofs by moving dumpsters away
from walls and covering drainpipes.
Work with Neighbors
Paint Out events to paint those areas that are
routinely “tagged”. The City will provide paint and materials for
these events.
Adopt-A-Location–residents choose a location and
agree to maintain it graffiti-free for a minimum of three months.
TAG-OUT Captain–act
as community liaison for their area and main contact with City
staff to ensure paint supplies and materials are available and to
help organize events.
Graffiti Spotters–individual
volunteers that report graffiti in a designated area.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Report!
Become a Graffiti Spotter! Report areas and locations of
graffiti to the Hotline at 757-664-6510. Please include the
address of the tagged site/or the closest intersection.
Help Your
Neighbors!
Provide property owners with tags on their property within
the TAG-OUT Pilot Area with the
Graffiti Removal
Consent Form. The consent form will allow the
Citys mobile graffiti unit or contractor to remove graffiti from
private property without a charge to the property owner. Please
note that the Consent Form must be completed by the propertys
owner/agent before any work can be completed by the City or its
contractor. ORIGINAL signature is
required. Do not send copies.
Remove!
Assist in the clean up of your community by volunteering at
city neighborhood clean up events; adopt a location in your area
that is vandalized regularly, or organizing a neighborhood watch
program through the Police Department.
Stop Vandalism
- Get a Reward!
Report graffiti vandals and vandalism through the Graffiti
Hotline. Graffiti is a crime and violators can be prosecuted. You
may be eligible for a reward.
Volunteer!
Learn about other organized community involvement programs by
calling 757-823-4210.
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REPORT
Notify
the authorities. A reward of up to $500 is available to persons providing
information leading to a conviction of graffiti vandal.
Identify
location—when reporting an incident please provide a specific
address or location.
Photograph
(digital if available) the graffiti to assist law enforcement in
their investigation.
TO REPORT GRAFFITI
CALL 757-664-6510
If you would like assistance in removing graffiti from your
property call 757-823-4210, to request a consent form. Please be
aware that for a property to be eligible for the TAG-OUT program
the property must be in the designated pilot area,
see
map for designated areas.
REMOVE
The goal of the TAG-OUT program is to work directly with concerned
residents, business-owners and community based agencies to
identify, report and remove graffiti from public and private
spaces.
The city will employ a mobile graffiti unit and painting
contractor to assist in the TAG-OUT program. The City will provide
paint and materials. There is no charge for this service and will
only be provided to individuals that complete the
Graffiti Removal Consent Form.
The consent form will allow the City’s mobile graffiti unit or
contractor to remove graffiti from private property without a
charge to the property owner. The consent form must be completed
by the property’s owner/agent.
FOR YOUR
INFORMATION
If Your Property is Vandalized by Graffiti
The City ordinance requires that a private property owner must
remove graffiti within five (5) days of the Notice of Violation
(NOV). As an incentive to comply with the 5-day notice, the
property owner may be entitled to an
incentive payment of up to $50.00.
If
the property owner has not had the graffiti removed within the
5-day required period, the City will send a contractor out to
perform the removal and a lien for the cost incurred will be
placed on the property.
Reporting Graffiti on Public Property
There are various types of public infrastructure that include City
owned buildings and property, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing
Authority (NRHA) owned property, and Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT). Although each agency has an individual
contact who is responsible for graffiti removal, residents in the
pilot area should call 757-664-6510. The Department of
Neighborhood Preservation will coordinate all reports with the
proper department or agency.
For City owned buildings and infrastructure and NRHA owned
property, graffiti removal is typically performed within 24 hours
of the referral. VDOT typically removes graffiti within 72 hours
of notification.
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