| Zero Graffiti Newsletter Volume I |
Fall 2009 |
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Thank you for signing the Zero Graffiti Pledge!
By checking one or more of the boxes on our pledge card, you've become our partner in the citywide campaign to eliminate graffiti vandalism. Since launching the Pledge at the Zero Graffiti conference in April, we've received hundreds of pledges.
We've created this newsletter to keep you informed of the City's progress in preventing and removing graffiti. This issue will report on three exciting new programs: "Operation Chinatown Wipeout," "Where Art Lives" anti-graffiti curriculum for 4-6th graders, and a mural program for private property owners whose walls are frequently tagged. We'll also tell you how the City's first Blight Ordinance will help reduce graffiti hot spots, and about spray can sensors that detect taggers in the act.
Please share this information with others in your community, and pass on the Pledge to your neighbors to make your community safer, cleaner and more liveable.
Mohammed Nuru
San Francisco Graffiti Advisory Board Chair |
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Spray Can Sensors Help Catch Vandals |
 Taggers face a greater risk of getting caught spray painting property in San Francisco, now that the City has purchased state-of-the-art Merlin Anti-Graffiti System sensors. Merlin sensors use sound technology to detect graffiti vandals in the act of tagging and can instantly notify the property owner and the Police that a crime is being committed. These highly accurate sensors identify a graffiti event by recognizing the sound of aerosol can emissions being used in the immediate vicinity. The Merlin System was developed by Broadband Discover Systems, Inc, a California-based technology company that also develops security systems for law enforcement agencies and the US Military. Currently Merlin sensors are deployed in over 50 cities throughout the United States. In California, they been very effective for the Watsonvillle police, who made 20 arrests over a period of five to six months by using the sensors. The city of Pinole, in partnership with Caltrans, is also using the sensors. Their police department made an arrest within the first seven hours of installing the system. |
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Operation Chinatown Wipeout Targets Graffiti |
 With its old masonry buildings, easy-to-access rooftops and dark alleys, San Francisco's Chinatown is a prime target for graffiti vandals. A big push is now underway to increase graffiti abatement and prevention in Chinatown commercial corridors and neighborhoods through "Operation Chinatown Wipeout", a Department of Public Works led program. Merchants and property owners who sign up receive free training in graffiti abatement and a private property Graffiti Abatement Starter kit with matching paint, graffiti remover and other supplies to help them keep graffiti off their storefronts. Another benefit is the free abatement services provided by a private graffiti contractor, who is proactively identifying and removing tags from rollup doors, awnings and rooftops. Since Operation Chinatown Wipeout was announced at the Zero Graffiti conference, 40 businesses have signed up, and the graffiti contractor has removed graffiti from 248 surfaces. All reading materials for the program have been translated into Chinese for non-English speaking merchants and bi-lingual instructors conduct the trainings. For more information about Operation Chinatown Wipeout, call 415-641-2600. |
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Blight Ordinance Reduces Private Property Graffiti |
 The Community Preservation and Blight Reduction Ordinance, passed in December 2008, gives the City new enforcement powers to reduce graffiti, along with other forms of blight, in San Francisco neighborhoods. Mayor Newsom approved administrative procedures for implementing the ordinance in June, and the Department of Public Works began testing these procedures for graffiti enforcement in mid August. DPW staff inspected and notified over 200 property owners who had received two prior Notice of Violations under the Graffiti Ordinance and allowed the graffiti to remain on their buildings. In accordance with the ordinance, delinquent owners get 15 days to remove the graffiti and are charged a $250 inspection fee. DPW reinspects each property, and will charge the owner $500 or more for the abatement service if they fail to comply with the notice. Under the Blight Ordinance, the property owner has the right to ask for a blight hearing. |
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ARTS EDUCATORS TEACH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRAFFITI VANDALISM AND PUBLIC ART TO 4th-6th GRADERS |
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This fall, the San Francisco Arts Commission is collaborating with the Department of Public Works and the San Francisco Unified School District to introduce its "Where Art Lives" graffiti vandalism education program to 4th to 6th grade children and youth in four public elementary or middle schools. This is the age group when youngsters are most impressionable and at risk to become taggers. SFAC arts educators have developed a special curriculum to teach them the difference between graffiti vandalism and the creation of public art, which requires permission. The "Where Art Lives" curriculum consists of a minimum of four weekly lessons led by a teaching artist. Where additional funding becomes available, the classes have theopportunity to create and paint a mural for their school with their teaching artist. The Arts Commission is discussion regarding the "Where Art Lives" pilot with a variety of schools in areas where graffiti vandalism has been increasing, including Martin Luther King Middle School, Jean Parker, John Muir, Paul Revere, Mckinley, and Cesar Chavez, among others. For additional information contact the SFAC Arts Education Program at 415-252-"The 2597 or 252-3928. |
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SF ARTS COMMISSION & DPW WILL LAUNCH PRIVATE PROPERTY MURAL PROGRAM |
 The San Francisco Arts Commission is collaborating with the Department of Public Works on a second graffiti prevention initiative - the " Street smARTS" program that will connect artists with private property owners to create murals on exterior walls that are frequently tagged. Artists and property owners will agree on the design of the mural with the approval of the San Francisco Arts Commission. DPW is helping SFAC identify potential mural sites and private property partners for the mural program, which is projected to begin in late fall of 2009. Please contact the Arts Commission's Community Arts and Education Program at 415-252-2597 or 252-3298. |
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BE OUR EYES AND EARS....REPORT GRAFFITI !
When you report graffiti to 311, you help Public Works and other City agencies do their job to remove graffiti from our sidewalks and streets. We also will notify private property owners to remove graffiti from their properties.
A comparison of 311 graffiti data from July 2007 through June 2008 and from July 2008 through June 2009 shows a 19% increase in graffiti reports on private property and a 5.6% increase in graffiti reports on public property. The public also continues to call the Police on a regular basis, resulting over 100 arrests so far this year.
These statistics show that calls from the public make a difference in how the City looks. So keep on calling and we'll get the job done!
Mohammed Nuru
REMEMBER ...
To call 311, when you see graffiti on public or private property
To report graffiti on line at www.311.com.
To call 911, when you see graffiti vandalism in action. To notify the MUNI bus driver immediately and call 911, when you see someone tagging the MUNI, | |
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