June 20, 2003

Greetings!

Last year when we sent out a request for volunteers to help abate the growing problem of graffiti on traffic-control boxes your response was very gratifying: an enormous amount of graffiti was removed from the boxes, city-wide.

We need your help again. Budget cuts have taken a toll on the ability of all agencies to react to graffiti...law enforcement, judicial system, and maintenance crews have all been cut. A concentrated effort by volunteers will help to make the City more livable and attractive for all of us.

WE CAN show our pride in our neighborhoods by focusing on a specific problem... Graffiti.

The "broken-window syndrome" (allowing graffiti to remain which attracts other crime) cannot be allowed to exist in our neighborhoods!

There are two specific areas of involvement for volunteers:

1. Reporting and recording locations/addresses of property that has been tagged.

2. Removing graffiti using solvents or paint, depending on the type of tag, i.e., marker pen, stickers or painted on graffiti

This volunteer project is appropriate for groups or individuals:  foot patrols; youth groups (with adult supervision): block captains and neighborhood watches. It is open to anyone who cares about the livability and appearance of our City. It can be a one-time activity, or an ongoing project.

 To sign up or receive more information, please contact any of the following:

•    Graffiti Abatement Crews (YEI)                       503-249-2856
•    Keith Orr, Traffic Signal Maintenance              503-823-4586
•    Keith will provide materials and information about removing graffiti from traffic control boxes.
•    Fire Stations (click here for locations/hours)

Thank you for your help.

Marcia L. Dennis, Crime Prevention Specialist
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
City of Portland
3534 SE Main Street
Portland, OR  97214
503-232-0010 x23
mdennis@ci.portland.or.us