Safe Waitakere Graffiti Vandalism
Graffiti Vandalism Project
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| Rail Corridor Project |
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| From left to right: Karl
Bethell from Corrections, Greg Hackett from ONTRACK
and Gill Evans (Graffiti Officer, Waitakere City
Council) |
In November 2008 the Waitakere City Council began a three
year project to reduce and eradicate Graffiti Vandalism from
our City. The project was as a direct result of Safe
Waitakere successfully bidding for and receiving funding
from the Ministry of Justice (Crime Prevention Unit) to
support the prevention and reduction of Graffiti Vandalism
within the City. Graffiti Vandalism reduction and prevention
is included in the City's overall Crime Prevention Plan for
2007 - 2012. This additional support from the Ministry of
Justice complements the existing and ongoing investment made
by Waitakere City to deal with the crime of "Graffiti
Vandalism".
The MoJ funding provides for;
- Continuation of the rail corridor project for 12
months - This program has seen Dept of Corrections,
ONTRACK and WCC working in collaboration to reduce
graffiti vandalism along the rail corridor from Mt
Lebanon Lane to Bruce Mclaren Rd. The next phase of this
project is to extend the work program area from Sturgess
rd to Sherrybrooke level crossing.
- A City wide Corrections Graffiti Program - this is a
'back to basics' project that will only cover areas of
graffiti that Waitakere Tag Out Trust and any other
contractor/group does not cover within Waitakere. It is
anticipated that the city wide corrections program will
look to reduce and eradicate graffiti vandalism in areas
such as reserves/certain parts of our cities cycle ways,
certain walkways and 'hot spot' areas of graffiti.
- Delivery of an Alternative Education Graffiti
Program - together with representatives from
Waitakere
Tag Out Trust an alternative education program will be
developed and delivered
- A Graffiti Vandalism Prevention Project Leader - to
oversee the delivery of the above projects and act as a
point of reference for graffiti within the City. The
role works closely with all of our cities organisations,
groups and the community to reduce the incidence of
graffiti.
The STOP Strategy
The funding was as a result of the new STOP (Stop Tagging
Our Place) Strategy launched in September 2008 by the then
Prime Minister Helen Clark. The strategy provides a 'guide'
to local government and communities on how to deal with
instances of graffiti vandalism, ways in which to educate
those involved with 'tagging' and also how those convicted
of graffiti vandalism offences are dealt with.
A key message within the Strategy signifies the importance
of "Community Ownership" and taking responsibility for areas
and locations within our community to reduce Graffiti
Vandalism and identify "offenders" responsible for this
crime.
To support "Community Ownership" the law has been changed
creating more specific offences for graffiti vandalism and
also the possession and sale of graffiti 'implements'. The
New Zealand Police and Councils now have greater powers to
help apprehend and prosecute not only tagging offenders but
also retailers who sell 'spray cans' to these offenders.
The updated law changes and related STOP Strategy
information can be seen on the Ministry of Justice website
at; www.justice.govt.nz/cpu.
How do I prevent Graffiti Vandalism?
The following strategies can help to prevent graffiti:
- vegetation - shrubs and bushy plants near buildings
help restrict access to walls or views into buildings
- lighting - a well-lit area may deter vandalism
- legal art and murals - vandals seldom attack the
work of other artists
- paints and coatings - always keep extra paint of the
same colour as your walls, fences and other painted
surfaces
- graffiti resistant surfaces - try to avoid plain,
smooth surfaces or fences
- securing your property - secure items such as
benches, barbecues and wheelie bins so they can't be
used to gain access to walls or rooftops
Removal
Research shows that if graffiti is removed within;
- 24 hrs then there is a 10% chance of it returning
- 2 weeks then there is a 100% chance of it returning.
The Waitakere Tag Out Trust 'Adopt a Spot' scheme enables
members of the community to receive free paint and equipment
to eradicate tagging from their properties.
Help us to help Waitakere City be clean of Graffiti and
Tagging by committing to 'adopt your spot'.
For more information please call Carl Bryant or Gin Fong at
Waitakere Tag Out Trust.
How do I report incidents of Graffiti Vandalism?
It is important that we deal effectively with incidents of
graffiti within Waitakere and reduce any 'perceptions' of
crime that are associated with heavy 'tagging'. We also need
accurate information and stats in order to quickly target
area's of volume 'tagging'.
If you see tagging in your area please report it to both
Waitakere
City Council and also Henderson
Police.
Contact information
Email: safe.waitakere@waitakere.govt.nz
Useful Links
Henderson Police Station
7 Buscombe Ave
PO Box 21 162 CX10078
Henderson
Phone: (09) 839 0600
Website: www.police.govt.nz
Ministry of Justice - Crime Prevention Unit
(MoJ)
Website:
www.justice.govt.nz/cpu
Neighbourhood Support Waitakere
DDL: (09) 839 0768 Mobile: 027 4047424 or
Email:
roi@neighbourhoodsupportwaitakere.org.nz
Website:
http://www.waitakereonline.co.nz/living/neighbourhdsupport.asp
Waitakere City Council's 24hr Call Centre
Phone: (09) 839 0400 or
Email:
info@waitakere.govt.nz
Waitakere Tag Out Trust
Phone: (09) 826 4276 or
Email: Info@tagout.org.nz
Website:
http://www.tagout.org.nz/03_TOT/TOT_04.htm
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