NEWS

City of Edmonton

• New Community Standards Bylaw #14600 becomes effective April 1, 2008
  April 1, 2008
  Regulates the conduct and maintenance of private property and immediately adjacent areas yards, buildings, property perimeters, boulevards and sidewalks must be maintained to a reasonable and common standard.
  Fine for offence: $250.
• City Council Meeting Minutes
  February 13, 2008

• Community Standards Bylaw Amendment to Bylaw 14752 [No. 1]
  February 13, 2008

• Community Standards Bylaw 14600
  Consolidated February 13, 2008

City of Edmonton 2008 Budget allocates more money for graffiti removal

Graffiti Management Strategy

A comprehensive Graffiti Management Strategy (GMS) was approved by the Transportation and Public Works Committee (TPW) for consideration during the 2008 budget deliberations. The GMS presented to TPW required funding of $927,000 and included activities in the four "E" elements associated with successful strategies Engagement, Eradication, Education and Enforcement.

Main components of these elements include:

• the establishment and co-ordination of a graffiti management committee to engage key internal and external stakeholders including the Edmonton Police Service
• direct support of graffiti removal community groups
• eradication of graffiti in six high incident locations in the city
• establishment of a mobile graffiti removal unit
• development of education tools to increase awareness about graffiti
• increased bylaw enforcement

At a funding level of $300,000, the effectiveness of the GMS will be limited. Resources to establish and co-ordinate a graffiti management committee, assistance to interested community stakeholders to remove graffiti, and a reduced education initiative will be provided.

Justification

Graffiti, like litter, is a shared responsibility. It can only be managed effectively if the City takes a lead role in coordinating and delivering initiatives in conjunction with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), community groups, businesses and residents. If left unattended, graffiti will grow and have a pronounced negative impact on the safety and appearance of our City with associated negative economic impacts. Chief Boyd of the EPS has clearly stated that it is an example of physical disorder in our communities.

Edmonton does not have a coordinated, properly resourced approach to graffiti management. This has resulted in sporadic efforts toward eradication and a sense of frustration among many key stakeholders. At the available funding level of $300,000 the desired approach to graffiti management cannot be fully implemented but a limited start will be made with building of a framework for which community stakeholders in graffiti management can be supported to begin to work together to address this growing problem.

Links to 2008 Strategic Direction: Focus Areas and Priorities

Social and Cultural - Vibrant Communities

• Development, coordination and/or delivery of Capital City Clean Up (Graffiti Management) initiatives to enhance the Citys appearance and livability
• Development and management of collaborative approaches between individuals, community groups and businesses to execute graffiti management programs

Capital City Clean Up Connector newsletter

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