Graffiti Prevention, Reporting and Removal

Let’s help property owners and city deal with the increased graffiti in the Woodfords Corner area. Tagging buildings is an eyesore and a crime, as well as a hassle and expense for business owners. The city has a Graffiti Buster Program to help prevent, report and remove graffiti. Property owners - the program has a contract with Audet Enterprises to rapidly remove graffiti at no cost to you but you need to provide authorization. There are 3 ways to help - and residents can really help by reporting

Prevent - Property and business owners - help prevent tagging by keeping areas around your building lit, clear of places to hide and consider installing a security camera on the perimeter. Lots more ideas on how to prevent on the City Portland website - Graffiti Prevention.

Report - Residents really help by reporting. Call 911 if it is a crime in progress. If you are unable to make a police report, the next best thing is to file an online graffiti report using Fix It! Portland. Use the Fix It! Portland reporting system for any graffiti you notice on city property as well. If you want to report information about taggers anonymously, text the keyword “GOTCHA” and your tip and photo to 274637 (CRIMES). You will immediately receive a response confirming receipt of your message. To submit additional information, just send a reply.Use See Click Fix app, also known as Fixit Portland. Easy to report rapidly - even if you plan to remove it yourself, report it first. Learn more.

Remove - If the graffiti is on your property, it’s your responsibility to clean it up. Property owners not cooperating in keeping their property graffiti-free will be referred to the Neighborhood Prosecutor and may be subjected to penalties and fines. If you are not able to remove the graffiti on your own, assistance with removal may be available through the city's Graffiti Busters program. Private property owners requesting assistance with removal are required to submit an Authorization Form to the Neighborhood Prosecutor at richb@portlandmaine.gov. Learn more about removal.