Graffiti Abatement

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Mission Statement

Enhancing community values of ownership, property values and aesthetics by eliminating graffiti in a timely manner through responsive stewardship of available resources and community/volunteer involvement.

Graffiti Abatement Program (GAP) is funded through the Crime Control and Prevention District to provide labor assistance to remove graffiti as requested by affected property owners and city areas. GAP provides educational materials explaining the negative impacts of graffiti. It also provides contract funds for the high-tech removal of graffiti as necessary, especially in those hard to reach areas. The Park & Recreation Department also works with area schools, businesses, organizations, and other city departments to promote awareness of the negative impacts of graffiti and to encourage alternative legal outlets.

 

 

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How does GAP serve your community?

By providing graffiti removal services on private, commercial, public, and park property at no charge to the property owner.

Depending on the surface, we use the following techniques:

  • Pressure Washing
  • Sand Blasting
  • Chemical 
  • Painting

How to Request Graffiti Removal

Step 1: Take a picture and report any graffiti you see by calling 817-392-2700, emailing graffiti@fortworthtexas.gov or in the MyFW app

Step 2:  Submit Permission to remove graffiti

Step 3: File a Police Report regarding the crime of graffiti on your property by contacting 817-392-4222 or online at police.fortworthtexas.gov

 

Community Outreach

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity, but you are not sure which one to pick? The Graffiti Abatement Program offers two different volunteer experiences, graffiti scavenger hunts and going green projects. If you have any questions before signing up or need accommodations for your group, please email graffiti@fortworthtexas.gov 

Step 1.Graffiti Scavenger Hunts

Our graffiti scavenger hunts(PDF, 3MB) are designed for individuals and larger groups who would like to volunteer with us. The group for the day will be split into two or three smaller groups and from there search for graffiti within Downtown Fort Worth.

You will be given a guideline of popular locations and asked to log these locations in the MyFW app. Doing so will assist our team with the actual coordinates of the graffiti, for quick removal the next day.

Graffiti Goes Green

A graffiti-going green(PDF, 3MB) project is designed for individuals and groups who would like to volunteer with us. Volunteers will plant ivy against a heavily tagged wall within a park or similar location in Fort Worth. By planting the ivy, the goal is for ivy to grow up the wall, and deter from graffiti being tagged or visible in the area.

For information regarding on each volunteer experience and our requirements to become a volunteer, please visit our volunteer page.

Step 2.Special Presentations

GAP attends community fairs, Back to School Nights, community center events and more. If you are needing a presentation, please call 817-392-2700 or email graffiti@fortworthtexas.gov.

Step 3.Mural Program

GAP has created over 90 murals throughout the City of Fort Worth! More information is coming soon! 

 

Graffiti Prevention Tips

Not only is graffiti unattractive, it lowers property values and encourages other types of crime in neighborhoods. By removing graffiti promptly, property owners can send a message to the people responsible for graffiti. Here are a few tips to keep graffiti at bay:

Ongoing Upkeep

  • Make every effort to keep the appearance of a facility clean and neat. An exterior appearance that suggests apathy and neglect attracts vandals.

Rapid Removal

  • Studies show that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate ofre-occurrence.

Control Access

  • Plant shrubs, thorny plants, and vines to restrict vandal access. 

  • Add or improve lighting around the building to promote natural surveillance.

  • Use fences, controlled entrance and exits, rails, and other barriers that discourage through traffic.

  • Limit access to roofs by moving dumpsters away from walls and covering drain pipes to prevent vandals from scaling them.

Step Up Security

  • Install some type of security camera. Businesses may want to employ security personnel to monitor property.

  • Employ graffiti resistant materials or coatings on a chronically tagged wall.

Work with the Community

  • Mount a community mural on a chronically tagged wall.

  • Reach out to the Graffiti Abatement Program for graffiti removal marketing material.

  • Refrain from using graffiti images in ads or promoting graffiti in any way.