Act as a Responsible Citizen

There are two topics in this section. This inforomation will help you discover the answer to the following questions:

  • What should you do as a responsible citizen of Calgary if you see graffiti in your community?
  • How can we prevent graffiti in our community?

Think about it...

Considering the Broken Windows theory, why would it be important to remove graffiti as quickly as possible?  What might happen if graffiti is not removed?

What should you do as a responsible citizen of Calgary if you see graffiti in your community?

Remember the 3 R’s when you see graffiti: RECORD, REPORT, REMOVE

Rollover on the words below to learn what to do if you see graffiti.

RECORD
-Take pictures of the graffiti and/or write down where you saw it to help police and bylaw officers track and identify graffiti culprits.

REPORT
-Call 3-1-1 when you see graffiti or 9-1-1 if you see graffiti in progress.  Reporting it helps to get it cleaned up sooner and if the graffer is caught, hopefully the consequences will help deter him from doing it again.

REMOVE
-Graffiti should be removed within 24 hours.  The sooner it is removed, the less likely it is that more graffiti will appear in your community or at your school.  If it is left, it sends the message that no one cares it is there.

What should you do if you...

...see graffiti in progress?
Call 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress.  Always consider safety and do not confront the vandal on your own. 

...see graffiti on public property, but do not know who did it?
 Call 3-1-1 to report the graffiti to city officials.  Remember to record as much information about the location and content of the graffiti as possible.

...suspect that someone you know is involved in graffiti activity?
Inform an adult that you trust in your school, such as a counselor or teacher, or contact Crime Stoppers to report an anonymous tip – your identity will not be revealed.  You can contact Crime Stoppers:

  • By text message: Text   "TIP100” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES)
  • By phone: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
  • On-line:  www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

 

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #1

Record, Report and Remove! How Can You Spread The Word?

Many community members are still unaware of the important role we all have in helping to record, report and remove graffiti. How could you help to get this message out to the citizens of Calgary? Why is it important?

Create a way to share what you know about recording, reporting and removing graffiti.

Some things you might create are:

  • a pamphlet
  • a poster
  • a website
  • a mural
  • a dramatic presentation
  • a work of art
  • or use your imagination

How can you prevent graffiti in your community?

  • The best way to avoid costly graffiti removal is to prevent it from happening in the first place.  Here are some tips to keeping your community graffiti free:
  • Plant trees and vines, pull weeds, pick up garbage, fix broken windows.
  • Keep property looking neat and tidy (clean, painted, all broken things fixed).
  • An anti-graffiti coating can be applied to exterior surfaces. The coating is a repellent, which impairs the application of graffiti and eases its removal.
  • Paint over graffiti as quickly as possible! Leaving graffiti only encourages more and gives the message that people don't care.
  • Join a community graffiti clean up project or start one.

Here are some more graffiti prevention tips from The City of Calgary.

MailBox

Graffers often target smooth, unmarked surfaces, such as mailboxes. 

Click here to read an article about what Canada Post is doing to make mailboxes a less likely target for graffiti.

Follow the links below to see how other Canadian cities deal with the problem of graffiti.

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #2

Research has shown that the proper design and effective use of the physical environment in a community can lead to a reduction in both the opportunity for crime and fear of crime.  This is often referred to as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).  Read the information about CPTED tactics from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Watch the following Block Watch training video Peace of Mind to learn more about how organizations like Block Watch help to create safer communities.

Imagine that you are the president of your community association.  Using what you have learned about graffiti prevention and removal, CPTED and community organizations like Block Watch, design a brochure for your community association or write an article for your community newsletter explaining what citizens can do promote safer communities and prevent graffiti vandalism.

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #3

Creative Alternatives: What Else Can We Do?

Watch this video to discover what one city is doing to offer solutions to local graffers.

After watching the video clip, get together in groups and discuss whether you think this type of contest would be a good idea in Calgary. Then, come up with two other ideas for activities that would discourage people from applying graffiti. Be sure to have strong back up reasons for each idea. Come together as a class and present each group's idea. Take a vote and see who had the best idea.