The City of Calgary has launched a pilot project to help cleanup graffiti in some inner-city neighbourhoods.
The head of bylaw services, Bill Bruce, says the pilot project should benefit homeowners because the current way of dealing with graffiti isn't working. "Someone comes by and tags your property, you've become a victim. You get victimized a second time when someone complains to the city, a third time when I issue an order or correct or I will lay a charge against you. And all you've done is own a garage door," says Bruce.
The current way of doing things sees people fined $50 for not removing graffiti. Then they also face the cost of removing the vandalism. Because of the cost, many people are apt to delay the cleanup of the graffiti.
For the pilot project, the city gets an independent contractor to remove the graffiti right away and then the city gets billed.
After conducting surveys, the city discovered graffiti makes people feel unsafe and it lowers property values. Those behind the pilot project are hoping that by removing the graffiti sooner, rather than later, it will save money in the end.
Bill Bruce says the city is also trying to combat graffiti by catching the vandals in action. Anyone over 18 faces a $5,000 fine and anyone under 18 faces a $1,000 fine. Last year, a total of 82 people were charged and convicted.
