A city audit of graffiti in Edmonton neighbourhoods is painting a clearer picture of just how bad the problem is, and of who is responsible.
The 2010 Capital City Clean Up Graffiti Vandalilsm Audit recorded 1,978 incidents of graffiti last year – nearly half of those the work of just 10 individuals.
"Graffiti vandalism is not harmless, it’s the willful damage of private or public property, and it’s a crime," said Inspector Terry Rocchio of the Edmonton Police Service. "The presence of graffiti in the community can generate fears of increasing gang activity, disorder and crime, and has a strong emotional and financial effect on the victimized."
75 per cent of the observed graffiti was on private property, with the highest concentration of vandalism seen in downtown, Strathcona, Boyle Street and Central McDougall neighbourhoods.
The audit was designed to give police and city staff the information they need to better track vandalism and those responsible for it.
"We’re now able to hold more vandals accountable for their crimes because of better reporting by citizens, stronger partnerships between the police, city and community, and more effective tracking tools like the Graffiti Vandalism Audit," Rocchio said.
One vandal has already been convicted of 23 counts of mischief and has been ordered to pay more than $6,000 in restitution and perform 150 hours of community service.
The city receives nearly 4,000 graffiti complaints each year. Graffiti vandalism can be reported by calling 311. Graffiti vandalism in progress can be reported by calling 911.
With files from Shane Jones.
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