Graffiti removal partnership
The City of San Rafael is developing a new graffiti removal program that will partner with homeowners to remove graffiti from private property using volunteer labor.
The City in the first step in its new Graffiti removal partnership program has developed a Graffiti Action Plan, including work across several departments.
The Public Works Department:
- Removes graffiti from public property
- Manages the graffiti abatement contractor
The San Rafael Police Department:
- Is responsible for graffiti abatement from private property
- Enforces the City's municipal code ordinance
- Conducts vandalism investigations
Several aspects of the Graffiti Action Plan (GAP) were set in motion while the GAP was being developed. The primary emphasis of the new graffiti removal partnership program is on volunteerism. Tactics are built around three main strategies, Eradication, Enforcement and Education, and are broken down into 6 month, 12 month, and 24 month timelines with the intention of building a program that will be sustainable over the long run. In addition, the City has just received a grant for $2,500 from Graffiti Hurts, a project of Keep America Beautiful, in order to fully develop the program. More information on how to report graffiti and how to distinguish between public and private property can be found by clicking on the Graffiti Hotline.
The TLHOA is asking its membership to consider volunteering a few hours to remove graffiti in Terra Linda. A homeowner is responsible for the graffiti abatement on their property and this is a chance for us to help our neighbors while also keeping Terra Linda looking good. Please contact Craig Murray at murray.craig@comcast.net to express your interest in helping, and Craig will connect you with the forthcomming Volunteer training in graffiti abatement. In addition to the Graffiti Hotline you can also contact Craig if graffiti has soiled your property. Our goal is to assist by requesting membership help as problems occur. Thank you in advance for caring about the community we live in.
The TLHOA four member Graffiti Committee of Don Jennings, Carson Watson, Maria Hudobnik and Craig Murray was formed during our Annual Meeting held on January 20, 2011. The Committee identified 3 El Pavo Real as a key location to eliminate graffiti.
As the City program was still in development the committee acted as neighbors helping neighbors and was supported with paint (5 Gallons of Sorrel Brown) by the City of San Rafael and with a pro-bono review of the Homeowner Graffiti Removal Authorization form by Attorney Jeff Moss.
On Saturday, January 29, 2011 the graffiti was abated. 
Work included weeding, scraping off moss on wall surfaces and power washing of dirt on wall and adjacent sidewalk areas. Work was completed in three hours from 9 to Noon with a total of nine man hours not including three hours for phone calls, emails and project coordination.
The property owner at 3 El Pavo Real OK’d the paint change from the Pepto-Bismol/Hot Pink Color to a “Tan” Color and agreed to follow-up spot painting if the site suffers graffiti in the future.
Thanks to the following City staff for assistance: Cory Bytoff, City Volunteer Coordinator; Dave Davenport, City Public Works; Nader Mansourian, City Public Works Director and Police Officer Joseph Camins for words of encouragement and photo taker of finished product.
