Graffiti

What is graffiti?

Graffiti is painting, etching, covering or placing a mark on private or public property. The most common type of graffiti in the Ottawa area is called “tagging”, which is the repetitive writing or painting of a word, name or symbol. A small percentage of graffiti could also be gang-related, hate-based, political or profane. 

Graffiti is a crime when it is placed on private or public property without the permission of the owner. The presence of graffiti in a neighbourhood can make people feel like that neighbourhood is run-down or not cared for, and can make residents feel unsafe and unhappy about their home. 

What can you do about graffiti?

If you find graffiti in your neighbourhood, call the police to report it. 

If your property has been vandalized with graffiti, or if you see hate-related graffiti call the Ottawa Police Service Call Centre at 613-236-1222. 

If you find graffiti on public property, call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1. 

If you see graffiti vandalism happening, it is considered a crime in progress and can be reported by calling 9-1-1. 

If you wish to report graffiti vandalism anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS (8477). 

The City of Ottawa has graffiti removal kits available if you would like to get involved in removing graffiti from your neighbourhood. The kits include graffiti removal scrubs (that work on smooth surfaces such as utility boxes, bus shelters, etc), gloves, garbage bag and scrubbing pads. You can find more information at: 

http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/environment/community/graffiti/index_en.html 

Or contact the City of Ottawa at cleaning@ottawa.ca. 

What can you do to prevent graffiti in your neighbourhood?

The best way to reduce the spread of graffiti is to remove it as quickly as possible and learn how to prevent it from happening. Removing graffiti quickly is a good way to prevent it from happening again as many graffiti artists do you want to go through the work of creating it only to have it erased immediately. 

As a property owner there are some things you can do to prevent graffiti: 

• Plant vines or shrubs around buildings to prevent access to walls
• Increase lighting, add motion sensing lights to draw attention to any movement around your property
• Move vehicles, dumpsters or other things away from walls to prevent access to walls and roofs of buildings
• Use a graffiti repellent to protect surfaces
• Encourage neighbours to look out for each other’s properties 

You can also contact your local Business Improvement Area (BIA) to ask for their advice or help on how to deal with graffiti: http://www.ottawa.ca/business/support/bia_en.html 

What can you do if your child is involved in graffiti?

Under the Parental Responsibility Act, you are financially responsible for property loss, damage or destruction caused by your child under the age of 18. More information about parental responsibility can be found at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca. 

If you have concerns that your child is involved in graffiti, you need to talk to him/her about it. Some signs that your child might be involved in graffiti include possession of materials like spray paint cans, tips, shoe polish containers, etching acid, and stencils, and the appearance of graffiti tags on clothing, school books or back packs. 

You can help your children express creativity in more positive ways by enrolling them art classes and design projects and by encouraging them to be more involved with organized school and community activities. Young people need to know that graffiti on public or private property is illegal and disrespectful and that there can be serious consequences for these actions. 

For more information about how to talk to young people about graffiti, call the Ottawa Police Service Youth Section at 613-236-1222 ext. 5355.