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Graffiti removal a costly project for Salt Lake City

Posted at 5:22 PM, May 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-01 19:22:35-04

SALT LAKE CITY – Graffiti removal costs $400,000 a year in Salt Lake City alone.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank spoke with Graffiti Removal Supervisor Brent Ahlander about the effects of graffiti in a new “Chief’s Message” video.  Ahlander says his graffiti clean up crew works eight hours a day, five days a week to keep up with demand.  He says donations of latex paint are appreciated to help them with clean up.  Chief Burbank is asking the public to watch for graffiti, and report it when they see it.

“There’s going to be a new app, a smartphone app coming out this summer. A 311 app that is going to allow people to take a picture of graffiti and report that on their smartphone, so there’s a lot of ways to get a hold of us,” said Ahlander.

For now, residents can report graffiti to their city, or fill out a removal order online.

Chief Burbank issues a video message every month to mitigate the effects of crime.  Here is his latest video below: