Guide launched to assist councils to beat graffiti

For immediate release on 16 August 2006

A Guide aimed at beating graffiti was launched by Local Government New Zealand in Wellington today.

The Beat Graffiti Know How Guide is a shared initiative between Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Justice. The Guide provides councils with strategies and tools to assist them to develop a concerted local response to graffiti problems within their communities.

“This document has been prepared in response to growing concern by councils about the impact of graffiti vandalism on our public spaces, businesses and communities,” said Local Government New Zealand’s social wellbeing spokesperson, Jenny Brash.

“Councils spend up to $1million per year removing graffiti in an effort to reduce the likelihood of further vandalism, and to prevent further decline of areas targeted by graffiti.”

“Councils are keen to ensure public property and spaces are vandalism-free and that members of the public feel safe using these places. Graffiti can impact on peoples’ perceptions of safety and on their perceptions of a ‘tagged’ community.”

The Guide showcases successful initiatives already employed by some councils that can be easily adapted for use in other communities throughout the country.

“This Guide has been developed specifically for local government, however, a number of other agencies have a role to play in combating graffiti and the negative behaviour that is associated with it.”

Ms Brash says preparing the Beat Graffiti Know How Guide is one of a number of activities reflecting Local Government New Zealand’s stance of zero tolerance to graffiti, “We believe this is a social issue of relevance beyond what councils can achieve on their own and we will be seeking ongoing collaboration with Ministers and their agencies to help us combat graffiti crime.”

The launch of the Guide follows a two day Safer Communities Conference which has looked at a number of community safety issues, including graffiti.

The Beat Graffiti Guide can be downloaded from www.lgnz.co.nz.

ENDS

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