Cactus Village Community

Graffiti Article . . . by Bob Beletz

Aug 05, 2003

It is a sign of urban decay. It generates fear of neighborhood crime and instability. It is costly, destructive and sends a message that the community is not concerned about the appearance of its neighborhoods And, it?’s against the law!

Residents can take control of their neighborhoods by quickly removing graffiti. Prompt removal reduces the chance of graffiti reappearing, and it helps maintain a safe, secure and attractive environment.

To help in this effort, the city created the Graffiti Busters Program. The goals of the program are simple.

* To remove graffiti within 24 hours of it being reported, and

* To support a Zero Tolerance approach to graffiti in our neighborhoods!


Attention Retailers
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase any ?“vapor releasing substance?” such as spray paint.

Improve Your Neighborhood Today
Graffiti Busters has paint sprayers available to be loaned out to community groups, they can be picked up at the warehouse or delivered to you. Those interested in borrowing the equipment must first attend a free training session to become certified to use the equipment. For your convenience Graffiti Busters will also hold certification classes in your neighborhood. Call Graffiti Busters to get paint, reserve a sprayer, sign up for the next training class or reserve tools for your next neighborhood clean-up. Any neighborhood group or Block Watch listed with the city?’s Neighborhood Services Department can receive free paint to remove graffiti, supplies and tools to improve their neighborhood. Some of the tools available to be loaned out include: paint sprayers, weed eaters, paint rollers, brushes, buckets, ladders (maximum of 4 feet). brooms, shovels, garbage bags, wheelbarrows, pole trimmers, hedge shears, hoes, scrapers loppers, rakes, water coolers, and gloves are available for neighborhood clean-ups.


Report Vandals
There is a special Police Graffiti Hotline, if you believe you can provide information leading to the arrest of a graffiti vandal, you may call this number to make a report. You don?’t have to give your name or any other identification; you could receive a reward tip to $250.


Quick Graffiti Reference

Graffiti Busters
24-Hour Removal Hotline 602-495-7014
Graffiti Busters Program 602-495-0323
Verizon and Alltel Cellular
Phone Users call toll free #4663
Graffiti Vandal Catching!
Reward Program 602-262-7327
Tools for Clean-ups/Free paint
for graffiti removal 602-495-0323
Paint Sprayer on Wheels 602-495-0323
Graffiti in Progress 911

Retail (non-access to
spray paint) 602-262-7844
E-mail grafbusr@phoenix.gov
Fax 602-495-0645
Internet www.phoenix.gov/NBHDGMS/grafbust.html