APPENDIX B

CITY OF VANCOUVER
ENGINEERING SERVICES
General Manager, D. H Rudberg, P.Eng.
Deputy City Engineer, T. R. Timm, P. Eng.

July 13, 2001

Dear Property Owner / Business Operator:

Re: (Property Address)

The amount of graffiti in the city has increased dramatically over the past few years. City Council and staff are working to develop broad new initiatives to address the graffiti problem and, by this letter, are asking for your help.

The cost of cleaning up this unsightly problem is costing communities across North America an estimated $4 billion annually. There is no practical way to calculate the total financial cost of loss of property values in residential and commercial areas, nor the loss of business because shoppers feel uncomfortable and avoid areas with graffiti. The greatest concern is that the expense of graffiti removal is totally unnecessary.

The solution to the graffiti problem is complex, but experts agree on one overall strategy. Graffiti must be removed as quickly as possible.

Two years ago, City staff increased the level of graffiti removal from City streets and bridges. This year we are seeking more resources from City Council to again step up the cleaning of graffiti from facilities such as bus shelters, litter bins, City work trailers, light poles and street signs.

What can you do to help keep the City clean of graffiti? This letter is being sent to all owners of property and buildings that have been observed to have graffiti on them. We understand that you are a victim of graffiti vandalism and that you probably are frustrated having to deal with it. However, without your assistance, the problem will only get worse. We are encouraging you to clean the graffiti from your property. If your property is leased, please make contact with your tenants to bring this request to their attention as well. Our observations were carried out about two weeks ago, so if you have removed graffiti from your property since then, please accept our thanks. The City is ready to assist you with technical advice related to cleaning special surfaces such as brick and masonry by calling our Graffiti Hot Line at 873-7161.

If we are to eradicate unsightly graffiti in Vancouver and if we want to reduce costs and prevent the problem from reaching the levels now seen in some cities, we need to work together. We would appreciate receiving your suggestions as to how the City could be of assistance to you in dealing with the graffiti problem in the future. Your input will assist us in developing options for Council to consider. Please mail your ideas to the Anti-Graffiti Office at the address at the bottom of this page, or fax to 873-7255.

Thank you for your help in combatting graffiti.

Anti-Graffiti Office
Engineering Services
City of Vancouver

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