Help keep our community clean. The Town works with several partners, including the Downtown Whitby BIA and Durham Regional Police Service, to prevent graffiti vandalism in our community.
What is graffiti vandalism?
Graffiti vandalism is writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a wall or other surface without permission. Graffiti vandalism creates a nuisance that can negatively affect property values, business opportunities, and pose a risk to the safety and well-being of a community.
Graffiti vandalism, including tagging, is illegal. Everyone has a role to play in combatting graffiti vandalism.
How to prevent graffiti vandalism
Rapid removal of graffiti is one of the most effective deterrents to taggers and other vandals. Other tips to help prevent/reduce graffiti include:
- Using anti-graffiti coatings on property surfaces
- Increasing lighting
- Reducing access to walls through things like bushes, fencing or ivy
- Restricting access during high-risk times (ex. locking gates at night)
- Installation of security camera’s and signage
How to report graffiti vandalism
- If you are witnessing graffiti vandalism in progress, please call 911.
- If you see graffiti on Town property, please report it. Take a photo, note the location, and submit the details using the Town’s new online reporting form. The Town prioritizes the removal of offensive graffiti.
- If you own or manage private property that is vandalized with graffiti, please report it. Submit the details to the Durham Region Police Services. This will help police to identify ‘hot spots’ within the community. Removal of graffiti vandalism from private property is the responsibility of the property owner.
How to clean up graffiti vandalism
- Surfaces that have been defaced by graffiti can be cleaned by power sanding, washing with high pressure water and cleaner or re-painting.
- Historic masonry surfaces should be cleaned with greater care. In order to preserve historic qualities, it is important to use organic solvents, alkaline paint removers, water-based methods (soaking, water washing with mild detergents, and steam cleaning), and poultice cleaning. High pressure washing, soda blasting, and sand blasting are not recommended.
- Surfaces can be painted with an anti-graffiti layer of paint that can protect the original coat of paint. This non-stick second layer of paint can be easily hosed off taking the graffiti off with it
What the Town is doing about graffiti vandalism
- The Town actively works with its partners to prevent and clean up graffiti that is reported in Whitby.
- This includes the removal of graffiti vandalism from playground equipment and signs, bridge underpasses, waste bins, public parking metres, and other areas of concern.
- The Town also connects regularly with local businesses and property owners to provide resources and information on preventing, reporting, and cleaning up graffiti.
