PROVIDENCE – The City of Providence is sending a strong message throughout the streets of Providence and it’s targeted at graffiti vandals: break the law and you’ll pay the price.  Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced details of Combating Graffiti, a comprehensive initiative designed to crack down on graffiti through a combination of aggressive enforcement, graffiti abatement and enhanced public awareness.  

The City also unveiled two Graffiti Task Force power-wash vans wrapped in bold, colorful messages that urge residents to report graffiti and offer the public up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of graffiti offenders. 

“Graffiti is an assault on our neighborhoods that damages property and diminishes the quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “Although our Police Department has worked hard over the past three years to address this problem, it is clear that we must do more to crack down on individuals who continue to maliciously break the law.”

The City of Providence amended the existing Graffiti Ordinance to increase the penalty for graffiti offenses from $200 to up to $1,000.  The provision also calls for restitution for damages and 200 hours of community service.  In addition, anyone who sells aerosol paint containers, broad tipped markers, etching equipment, paint sticks or graffiti sticks to a minor without written permission from a parent or guardian may be held criminally responsible.

In addition, the Providence Police Department has assigned a police officer at each of the nine district substations to handle graffiti problems.

“It’s critically important that we send a strong message to those who deface public and private property with graffiti – this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “We need the public’s help in catching these offenders to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.”

Residents are urged to call the Graffiti Task Force Hotline at 1-800-TAGGERS to report graffiti or to have graffiti removed from their property.  They may also file a report electronically by visiting the City’s website at www.providenceri.com/graffiti. 

The City has redoubled its efforts to remove graffiti from public buildings and private property by putting an additional Graffiti Task Force van on the road and assigning more personnel to remove graffiti, said the Mayor.

Under the ordinance, the City will place a notice on private property giving the owner 10 days to remove graffiti or to seek the City’s assistance in cleaning it up at no charge.

If the waiver is not signed, the City may enter the property and remove the graffiti at the owner’s cost.

“We must make every effort to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “And with the eyes of the public helping us catch these vandals, it’s my hope that we will see a lessening of offenses over time,” said Mayor Cicilline.