Immediate Response • Extensive Resources • Fair Pricing

Vandalism

Crimes against property are on the rise and cost property owners millions of dollars a year. AFTERDISASTER's emergency response team provides general vandalism cleanup for graffitti and physical destruction of contents and/or property. Our services include cleaning, debris removal, deodorization and restoration services. Immediate removal, within 24 to 48 hours, is the key to successful graffiti prevention. Look around your community. Do you see... Walls covered with graffiti? Knocked-over trashcans or mailboxes? Broken street lights? Spray paint on stop signs? Broken public telephones? Missing street and traffic signs? Writing or torn pages in library books? Public restrooms with broken doors and graffiti?

Facts and Stats Graffiti cleanup takes a big chunk out of municipal budgets. In 2003 the city of Los Angeles spent $55 million on graffiti removal. Graffiti is the most common type of vandalism according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. About 80 percent of graffiti is gang or tagger graffiti. Most studies show the majority of taggers are males between 12 and 21 years old. Approximately 15 percent of graffiti vandals are young females. Community paintbrush murals are rarely defaced by graffiti and instill a sense of pride among those who live nearby. There are four motivating factors for graffiti vandalism: fame, rebellion, self-expression, and power. These facts and figures are from the Graffiti Hurts® website www.graffitihurts.org

You Can Help Prevent Vandalism Educate the public, especially young people, about the costs of vandalism. Clean up vandalism as soon as it happens -- replace signs, repair playground equipment, paint over graffiti. If you see anyone committing vandalism, report it to the police, school authorities, or someone who can take action. Remember, vandalism is a crime. Protect your house or apartment from vandalism by using good lighting and locking gates and garages. Support recreational programs for young people in your community. Volunteer your time, donate money or supplies, and help in any way you can.