by Graham Bell*
It may not be the most prestigious application of artificial olfaction, but sniffing spraypaint and ink is proving to be highly appreciated by Australian councils, property owners and the wider community.
Graffiti vandalism costs Australian Local Governments around $260 million a year in cleanups, but there are also hidden costs, such as loss of customers and business revenues, discouraged tourists, and diminished quality of life.
Whether you call it art or vandalism, the cost of graffiti is inescapable, and the cost is rising.
Based in Sydney, E-Nose Pty Ltd has developed an electronic nose and alarm system to detect graffiti vandals in action and to alert one or more relevant authorities to attend immediately while the vadalism is in progress.
The company’s product, graffit-e-nose™, silently alarms by sending SMS messages within a few seconds of sniffing graffiti paints, inks and solvents.
The product was recently deployed at a graffiti plagued scout hall, resulting in the arrest of members of three gangs of graffiti vandals. Attacks on the hall have now diminished, as have attacks on walls and fences in neighbourhoods where these vandals operated.
Similar deterrence has occurred at a community centre in Newcastle and at a skate park in Campbelltown, which are both protected by the graffit-e-nose™.
New trials are under way in Sutherland Shire in New South Wales and Stirling in Western Australia and many more are being planned around Australia.
In addition, the technology is about to cross the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.
The graffit-e-nose™ costs a tiny fraction of what is wasted on graffiti: money better spent elsewhere. E-Nose Pty Ltd offers a limited time, inexpensive trial package.
Graffit-e-nose™ is available for sale, rent and lease.
For further information visit www.e-nose.info or phone (02) 9209 4083.
*Graham Bell is the CEO of E-Nose Pty Ltd
