On the Clock: City of Arlington’s Graffiti Cleanup Crew
By Office of Communication
Posted on January 06, 2022, January 06, 2022

In the latest On the Clock, Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton teams up with Community Services Technician Ron McCall to clean up graffiti in The American Dream City. 

“Our goal is to enhance and preserve neighborhoods by proactively identifying graffiti and abating it in the most aesthetically pleasing method possible,” said Misty Gutierrez, a Field Operations Manager with Arlington Code Compliance Services. “From my understanding, the City’s free graffiti abatement program began with the police department, where graffiti was abated primarily through the use of volunteers and donated paint. The program oversight shifted to Code Compliance Services and evolved from volunteers to city staff conducting the abatements.”

The City of Arlington’s Code Compliance Services Graffiti Abatement Team responds to around 300 graffiti calls each year. Nearly 93% of graffiti calls received are reduced or removed by the Graffiti Abatement Team. McCall said he has been part of the team for about six years. 

“When I get a call, we are required to get out there within 48 hours,” McCall said.

“The Graffiti Abatement Team uses a variety of graffiti methods to abate graffiti,” Gutierrez said. “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach when looking for the best outcome. The preferred method is using a pressure washer to remove the graffiti. In most cases a little hot water, graffiti removal chemicals and a little elbow grease will do the trick. This method works great on fences and non-painted masonry surfaces. Some surfaces may require painting in which we try to match the paint as closely as possible.” 

Residents can learn more about reporting graffiti on the City’s Code Compliance Services webpage. Click here to watch more episodes of On the Clock.

In the latest On the Clock, Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton teams up with Community Services Technician Ron McCall to clean up graffiti in The American Dream City.

On the Clock, Champion Great Neighborhoods, MyArlingtonTV
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