Helping Dallas Neighborhoods Help Themselves:
Graffiti Abatement Resource Guide

Introduction

Graffiti is a crime that costs our nation billions of dollars every year.  Graffiti reduces property values and drives away businesses, customers and jobs.  Gang related or not, graffiti makes the community look unsafe.  It sends a message that someone other than the residents and the City are in control here.  This encourages other crime and can lead to the decline of a whole neighborhood.  Tackling the problem requires a partnership of private citizens, business owners, youth workers, schools, neighborhood associations, crime watch groups, the police, courts and, not least, government agencies.  The good news is that with a little bit of focus and some effort, we can stem the tide of graffiti.  This has been proven in Dallas' neighborhoods and in cities all across America! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to clean up graffiti?

If graffiti appears on private property, the property owner is responsible to remove it, or be subject to fines ranging from $200 to $500 (Dallas City Code, Chapter 31 Sec. 31-38).  City departments are responsible to remove graffiti from public property they oversee.  (See contact list below.)

How does the law define graffiti?

Graffiti is legally defined as follows: “A person commits an offense if, without the consent of the owner, he intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings on the tangible property of the owner.” Yes, graffiti really is considered a crime.  (Dallas City Code, Chapter 31 Sec. 31-38). 

How do I find out about prevention and abatement strategies?

Community murals, applied to frequently targeted walls, are very effective at warding off graffiti.  Businesses can also use plantings and other proven strategies.  Neighborhood groups can organize a "paint out".  For technical assistance and advice, call the City's graffiti program number--214-670-6362.  Also consult the websites listed below.

How do I determine which police division  code enforcement district or park and recreation district I live in?

Visit the City's Interactive Maps website shown immediately below or call the Dallas Public Library's Urban Information Center at 214-670-1468 for assistance.  Hours are Mon-Thur. 9am-9pm, Fri.-Sat. 9am-5pm and Sun. 1-5pm.

How do I report graffiti and get it removed?

• On the internet go to http://311.dallascityhall.com then “hit” Enter the City of Dallas 311 system and enter Keyword: Graffiti.
  
• The City's 311 non-emergency service number is the main number for reporting graffiti if you do not choose to report it over the internet. 
  Graffiti on public property--traffic signal switch boxes, street signs, and park and recreation facilities--may also be reported to the City department or State agency responsible for clean up. (See contact list below.) 
  
• Graffiti on non-public property--railway overpasses, high voltage transmission poles, and dumpsters--may also be reported directly to the property owners. (See contact list below.)
  
• The police encourage citizens to make a photograph or a careful drawing of the graffiti for evaluation by their gang unit. Send photos or drawings, along with details of when and where the graffiti appeared, to: Dallas Police Department (Attn: Gang Unit)/ 1400 Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75214. Digital photographs may be emailed to GangDPD@dpd.dallascityhall.com.

Does graffiti mean I have gangs in my neighborhood?

Not necessarily. Although gangs do use graffiti to communicate, most graffiti is not gang related. 

There are three basic types of graffiti:

• Graffiti done by “taggers” or “tagging crews” (people who consider graffiti their art form); 
• Graffiti done by vandals; 
• Gang-related graffiti.

How can I tell the difference between these three types of graffiti?

You probably can’t. One type of graffiti usually looks much like another. Gangs and taggers alike use their own preferred colors and include a signature, symbol or names.  Vandal graffiti is often obscene and anonymous. These are very general descriptions and any type of graffiti may take on the characteristics of the other types. The content being communicated is not generally discernible to the average person.  

My fence keeps getting painted with graffiti. Does this mean I've been targeted by a gang?

Probably not. Most graffiti should not be taken personally. If you have graffiti on your property, it may simply be that your property is convenient to paint on. Don't assume you've been singled out. Also, do not be afraid to remove the graffiti from your property. Graffiti writers almost never retaliate against property owners. You should, however, report incidents of graffiti on your property to 911.  This will generate a police report and help the department track activity patterns.  That, in turn, influences their decisions on how to deploy their resources. Finally, experience shows that when graffiti is swiftly removed, within 48 hours of its occurrence, it is less likely to show up again  in the same location.

What should I do if I see someone painting graffiti?

If someone is caught painting graffiti will they be arrested, and what is the punishment? 

Yes, they can be arrested and booked just like any other criminal. The punishment for someone convicted of criminal mischief (graffiti) depends on the amount of damage caused. For damage under $20, the crime is a Class C misdemeanor,  punishable by a fine of up to $500. The maximum penalty, for damage of $200,000 or more,  is a First Degree Felony, punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (Texas Penal Code, 28.08).

Is it illegal for minors to purchase spray paint?

Yes, businesses that sell products marked "vapor harmful", including spray paints, are required  to prominently display a sign that reads: "It is unlawful for a person to sell or deliver an abusable volatile chemical to a person under 18 years of age. Except in limited situations, such an offense is a state jail felony."  (Texas Health & Safety Code, 485)

How do I find out about prevention and abatement strategies?
Community murals, applied to frequently targeted walls, are very effective at warding off graffiti.  Businesses can also use  plantings and other proven strategies.  Neighborhood groups can organize a "paint out".  For technical assistance and advice, call the City's graffiti program number--214-670-6362.  Also consult the websites listed below.

Useful Websites

City of Dallas 311 Service Online
http://311.dallascityhall.com
This web-based service can be used to report graffiti instead of dialing 311.  [Note: It may expedite matters to include the code compliance district in which the graffiti appears.  Find this information by looking up the address at the Interactive Maps website (see below) or by calling the Library's Urban Information Center (214-670-1468).]

Dallas Police Department 
http://www.dallaspolice.net/index.cfm 
Use this website to access telephone numbers, crime statistics and more.

Graffiti Hurts (Keep America Beautiful) 
http://www.graffitihurts.org 
See especially the “graffiti removal” tips located in the Community Resources section. There are great tips here for businesses too.

Interactive Maps (City of Dallas)
http://maps.dallascityhall.org 
By typing in your address and making sure to click inside of the “report about a location” check box, you can quickly determine which City council district, police division, code compliance district and police beat a property is located in. 

Youth Mentoring Initiative (Dallas Independent School District)
http://www.dallasisd.org/inside_disd/depts/mentoring/guidelines.htm
This program enables Dallas residents to get involved with tutoring and mentoring high schools students, helping to keep them in school and moving forward in their lives.