News ReleaseCity of Long Beach Public Information Office
333 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

11/15/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #CM: 111506
Subject :

Graffiti tips for residents and businesses
Contact :Pat West, Director of Community Development    570.6570
Graffiti reduces property values, diminishes the quality of life, decreases neighborhood pride and lowers business patronage. Neighborhoods that allow graffiti to remain tend to attract more crimes. Furthermore, addressing graffiti requires personal and City funds. Here are some tips for addressing and preventing graffiti.

  • Remove graffiti as quickly as possible. Graffiti that remains visible encourages and emboldens taggers.
  •  Make sure buildings and property have ample lighting. Consider motion-sensor lights as appropriate. 
  • Use anti-graffiti coatings on walls, windows and other surfaces.
  • Use shrubs, thorny plants, vines, etc. to block views, limit access and cover areas that might get tagged.
  • Control access to property via fencing, fixed entrance/exit points, barriers, etc.
  • Limit access to roofs by moving vehicles, storage bins, etc. away from buildings. Install high fences when low fences act as ladders to roofs.
  • Maintain building and facility appearances. Littered parking lots, graffiti, broken fences and windows, overgrown landscaping, etc., encourages more graffiti and other crimes.
Important Graffiti phone numbers  

  • City of Long Beach Graffiti Abatement Hotline, 570.2773
  • Los Angeles County Graffiti Hotline, 800.675.4357 (including flood control structures)
  • City of Long Beach Free Paint Voucher Program, 570.2773
  • Long Beach Water Department facilities and fire hydrants, 570.2441
  • CalTrans, 310.342.6161


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