• Tips For Parents

REPORT GRAFFITI VANDALISM IMMEDIATELY
There are different ways to report GRAFFITI in your neighborhood:

• If you see graffiti in progress, call the 911 or 922-6633 ext. 1.
• If you spot graffiti on a building, wall, fence, etc., call Fife Police 253-922-6633 ext 1 and tell them the location of the graffiti.

GRAFFITI HAS SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOODS

Graffiti vandalism is a significant problem on the national level as well as the local level.  The cost of graffiti vandalism nationally is estimated at more than $15 billion, with about $8 billion spent on abatement activities alone, according to the National Center for Problem Oriented Policing.  Graffiti vandalism has a significant negative impact on the quality of life for residents, as well as a negative impact on business by contributing to blight and fear and its association with other criminal activity.
  
The involvement of residents and business owners within the neighborhoods is critical to fighting the crime of graffiti vandalism.  The aggressive commitment of residents and business/property owners to a community-police partnership will signal widespread disapproval of the crime of graffiti vandalism in our community and support police enforcement activities.  The following are a few ways the police and community can work together to:

• Providing additional “eyes and ears” to detect and report incidents of graffiti vandalism and identifying those responsible for the crime. 
  
• Delivering educational programs to inform youth and adult audiences of the impact of graffiti vandalism, its prevention, and the consequences related to graffiti vandalism.
  
• Coordinating citizen efforts to combat graffiti vandalism.
• Blockwatch meetings working together and communicating with one another about problem areas.    

         
 OTHER TOOLS TO COMBAT THE CRIME OF GRAFFITI VANDALISM
  Surveillance Cameras

Surveillance cameras are used in high target areas as a successful deterrent to graffiti activity. They provide police and property owners with photos from which investigative information is developed.  These cameras are currently only out where the business owners have placed them.  It is a great tool to identify and prevent Graffiti Vandalism.
 
TIGHTER ANTI-GRAFFITI MEASURES
In Washington State, Graffiti Vandalism carries a misdemeanor charge.  In other states, the City Councils and State governments are working toward a large deterrent by making Graffiti Vandalism a felony with the penalty of 1-3 years in prison.  The City of Reno is one of the cities that started this process.