Incidents of graffiti vandalism in the City of Melville have more than halved since 2007, according to the latest graffiti statistics for the 2012/2013 financial year.
This translates to an 85 percent decrease in graffiti removal costs over the same period and a saving of almost $1.2 million.
The latest statistics, released in July, support an historical downward trend documented since the 2007/2008 financial year when City spending on graffiti removal peaked at $416,046 with a total of 7,423 incidents. In the last financial year the City spent only $64,226 to remove graffiti across a reduced 3,557 incidents.
City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said the latest results mean that graffiti vandalism incidents across the City have been cut by half over five financial years and costs have been reduced to less than a sixth, which is significant and encouraging.
“We believe the reduction in the number of incidents is due largely to a combination of targeted Community Safety Service patrols of identified hot spot areas, urban art projects and the rapid removal of graffiti – a proven graffiti reduction strategy.
“The City’s Graffiti Management Plan has also contributed, promoting the maintenance of police partnerships and the sharing of information with the police to assist in arrests.
“The City has also been recording photos of all removed graffiti, both for measurement purposes and to maintain an information database of ‘tags’ and ‘hotspots’ that are used for investigative purposes by the Police.
“All of these strategies have worked well and have benefited from the additional effect of other initiatives introduced by external organisations, such as the reduction of access to spray cans.
“While 52 percent is a huge reduction in graffiti, we continue to be vigilant about graffiti management to ensure our residents feel safe in Melville and to preserve the beauty of our local amenities.”
