Graffiti

Reporting graffiti in San Antonio just got a touch easier. The City’s Graffiti Abatement Program has teamed up with App-Order.com to create "NoGraffitiSA" Smart Phone application that will allow residents with Android and iPhone phones to send real time graffiti information and photos to the department.

Android and iPhone users can download the "NoGraffitiSA" application for free from the Android and Apple Phone Market. Once installed, users simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the graffiti and then submit the information. Using a built-in global positioning system the application will attach a location to the picture and send the information to the Graffiti Abatement Program. The electronic submissions will then be routed to the appropriate City staff or outside agency. Residents can also choose to receive updates on the status of their request.

The "NoGraffitiSA" application was created at no cost to the City. App-Order.com develops Smartphone apps with web interfaces for government and private industry customers throughout the United States.

Graffiti is ugly. It comes in all shapes and colors and can be found on buildings, highways, fences and other surfaces. It’s often done without permission and it’s against the law. Graffiti is an eyesore that decreases property values, is a drain on tax dollars and makes residents feel unsafe.

The City and several other local organizations, through a partnership called the Graffiti Wipeout Program, are doing a number of things to decrease this vandalism, such as painting over and removing graffiti on public property in parks and other areas in designated corridors. Through the "Grow over Graffiti" program, property owners are also encouraged to plant trees or ivy to cover walls and fences with graffiti. But what can you do to get rid of graffiti? Get involved. Report graffiti in progress or graffiti that needs to be painted over. Organize a neighborhood paint out or learn how to create a community mural. Donate paint brushes, rollers or other materials that can remove graffiti. Or learn more about graffiti and the negative effects it can have on your community.

Check out the links on this web site if you want to find out how you can get rid of graffiti. Don’t live with it. Wipe it out!

For more information on Graffiti Wipeout activities or to be added to a mailing list, call Lisa McKenzie, Graffiti Abatement Coordinator, at (210) 207-5430.