The Public Works Department has run a graffiti abatement program as part of its operation for over 20 years.  Originally designated to be an extra task, the program utilized the same staff person that cleaned sidewalks, streets, and alleyways.  Graffiti removal soon became the primary task and staffing was subsequently increased to two positions in 2007.

In 2008, to supplement City staffed graffiti efforts, the City entered into a contract for weekend and holiday graffiti abatement services.  This agreement allowed the City to send excess work to the contractor and for graffiti abatement to take place when staff was not working. In June 2018, one employee took advantage of an early retirement incentive, and the second position started to address an increase in calls related to homelessness.  During this time, staff increased the contractors presence in the City, and in early 2019, a contract was executed for full-time graffiti abatement.  Due to that contract expiring, the City updated the scope of work and a new RFP was issued followed by the award of a new contract on November 24, 2020.  Under the agreement, the contractor is now responsible for all graffiti in the public right of way, including parks, City facilities, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Bike Path.

The City's current contractor, Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc., performs graffiti abatement in three states (California, Arizona, and Nevada) and contracts with many cities, both large and small.  These include Santa Ana, Fullerton, Long Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verde, Burbank, Ontario, Palm Springs, San Jose and Las Vegas.

At the City Council meeting on July 27, 2021, Council requested that staff report back on a variety of issues including use of standard colors, color matching, and private property graffiti.  Each topic is outlined below.

Standard Colors

Prior to 2007, staff used 5 common colors throughout the community, and used recycled paint to keep costs down.  Unfortunately, there is no color consistency with recycled paint and the quality did not allow the paint to be sprayed using paint sprayers.  Staff re-evaluated the colors, and downsized to four colors.  Staff also stopped using recycled paint and started purchasing paint at Garden Grove Home Depot at a reduced price.  The four colors have remained consistent since 2008 and were used by both staff and the weekend contractor.  Only the grey color has changed overtime to better match concrete.  The four colors are a light brown (used on block walls), grey (used on concrete), sandalwood (used on beige surfaces) and white.  Samples of the paint colors are attached, and may not be a true reflection of the actual color due to being scanned for electronic distribution.  These four colors are in addition to a wide variety of other paints used to cover graffiti on miscellaneous surfaces such as red curbs, traffic signal equipment, and park/landscaping equipment. 

For City-owned buildings, the contractor has been provided with the color so when graffiti is removed the paint color matches the rest of the building.

The contractor has policies and procedures in place that guide their graffiti removal, such as painting an entire surface of a wall if the wall has not been recently painted.  This allows them to only spot cover areas as graffiti appears, and if the wall starts looking patchy due to sun fading, dirt, or other reasons, they then paint the entire section of the wall again.

Currently, a majority of the paint the contractor uses is from Sherwin-Williams and is provided as part of the agreement.  Past knowledge has shown that color-codes are specific to a manufacturer, and a Sherwin-Williams paint code will not work at Home Depot or other paint distributors equipment.  Due to this, the Public Works Department maintains samples of the paint colors that residents or business owners may obtain so they may get the paint from the store of their choice.

Color Matching

Since the Public Works graffiti abatement program’s focus is primarily on city-owned infrastructure and walls that face the public right of way, staff has preferred to use the standard colors to increase graffiti removal productivity.  Color matching is available from our consultant however its use will reduce productivity by an unknown amount.

The contractor can offer the following supplemental services at the City’s request:

 The contractor already trains all of their employees to perform color matching and can readily provide this service.  If the contractor is unable to get a color match in the field, they try to obtain a sample of the paint, which they then take to Sherwin-Williams, who will then match the paint to the sample.  It can take the contractor anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to get a color match.  If they take a sample to the paint store, it typically takes 24 hours for the match to be made. 

Presently, if a wall that is painted a non-standard color is graffitied, the contractor will try to get permission to paint it one of our standard colors.  If the person in control of the property did not want the wall painted one of our standard colors, the contractor will either pressure-wash the wall or do a color match on site, on a case by case basis. Both pressure-washing and color-matching take additional time, thus resulting in less productivity. While there is no extra cost for the color matching, crews will not be able to remove as much graffiti each day, given the necessary time needed to match.  However, when completed, the surface should have a more aesthetic finished look.

For the months of September and October 2021, staff and the contractor will conduct a study to assess the effectiveness, time, and extra workload to implement color matching.  The results of this will be reported following the study.

Private Property

California Government Code section 53069.3 covers the process of graffiti abatement from private property, along with Garden Grove Municipal Code Chapter 8.64.  The state code requires the property owner or possessor of the property to provide consent for the abatement to take place.  This consent can take time to obtain. Private property graffiti issues, or locations where consent cannot be obtained, will be referred to Code Enforcement, as is current practice, for their action and follow up.

For the months of September and October 2021, staff and the contractor will conduct a study to assess the effectiveness, time, and extra workload to address graffiti on private property.  This study will include private property graffiti abatement for graffiti seen while driving down the road.  The results of this will be reported following the study.

Many graffiti abatement or property maintenance contractors enter into agreements with private property owners to remove graffiti from shopping centers, apartment complexes, or other commercial properties.  Staff does not recommend the City enter into agreements with private property owners for property maintenance graffiti removal.  This presents many challenges such as those who pay the city for the service wanting abatement done above all other work requests.

There is no financial impact at this time.

There is no recommendation at this time.  A full report to the City Council will be made on graffiti abatement concerning public and private property and related costs following the study.

By:  Mark Ladney, Public Works Supervisor