Dear Fellow Resident,

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the City of Somerville’s policies and action plan addressing the problem of graffiti vandalism.

As a community, Somerville is committed to a zero-tolerance and strict enforcement policy for this serious offense against the entire city and its people. Graffiti is a significant public nuisance that contributes to a decrease in property values and overall quality of life. It is associated with an atmosphere of blight and criminal activity. By contrast, well-kept public and private properties promote improved public safety, livability and community pride.

THE "ZERO-Tolerance" Plan

Community involvement is essential in sending a “Zero-tolerance” message to those who commit graffiti vandalism. Our plan calls for engaging residents in the anti-graffiti vandalism program through the City’s Neighborhood Advisory Boards. These groups help us to establish and maintain a volunteer base to support proactive citizen efforts such as surveillance and reporting of the placement and existence of graffiti.

The plan also calls for abatement of graffiti-vandalism within 48 hours, a streamlined graffiti vandalism reporting system through our 311 customer service center, and extensive case investigation and follow-up.

Impact on Neighborhoods

Graffiti vandalism is a significant problem on the national level as well as here in Somerville. 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. In November and December of 2006, the city responded to 453 reports of graffiti. The cost of abatement alone for the city has become a significant financial and manpower burden that requires a reallocation of resources away from other important activities. This reallocation occurs in both the Public Works Department and community policing initiatives.

Graffiti is Everyone's Business

The involvement of residents and business owners in every neighborhood is critical to fighting the crime of graffiti vandalism. An aggressive commitment by residents and business/property owners to a community-police partnership helps signal widespread disapproval of graffiti crime by providing additional eyes and ears to detect and report incidents of vandalism and helping identify those responsible for these crimes.

If you see graffiti vandalism in progress please call 911. Please report all other graffiti through the 311 call center.

Thank you for joining us in making Somerville a more beautiful and safer place to live.

Sincerely,

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone