July 20, 1999
Mayor Calls for Expanded Authority to Help Homeowners and Business Owners Eradicate Graffiti on Private Property
Highlights Progress on Graffiti as Part of Public Safety Drive
(Washington) Mayor Anthony A. Williams, flanked by his new Director of Public Works, Vanessa Burns, and members of the Council, today demonstrated two "Graffiti Blaster" trucks and called for expanded authority to eradicate graffiti on private property, where the lion's share of graffiti is found. Eliminating graffiti is part of the Mayor's comprehensive approach to making neighborhoods safer. The event was held at the Deanwood Daycare and Headstart Center at 49th and Quarles Street, NE.
The Mayor has introduced legislation, "The Anti-Graffiti Amendment Act of 1999," which would substantially enhance the District's ability to combat graffiti on privately owned property, and would resolve liability issues which have hampered graffiti eradication efforts in the past. A summary of the legislation is attached.
"This legislation will help homeowners and small business owners to rid their property and their neighborhoods of graffiti, often a sign of gang activity. It is part of our comprehensive approach to making our neighborhoods safe," said Mayor Williams.
The Mayor also demonstrated two new "Graffiti Blasting" trucks, which arrived in early May. These trucks have expanded the reach of graffiti eradication so that DPW crews can now go after buildings and other large structures. The trucks are environmentally friendly and use a mixture of baking powder and water released under high steam pressure to remove graffiti. Since the trucks arrived, they have already cleared graffiti from more than 130 buildings.
"Allowing graffiti to mar our communities sends a dangerous signal that no one cares what happens there. It is an open invitation to gangs and crime. These trucks will put some muscle behind our efforts to say no to graffiti in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Williams.
