CC - Item 5A - Graffiti Removal Program OverviewROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER V
DATE: JANUARY 28, 2025
SUBJECT: GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SUMMARY
This staff report presents an overview of the City's graffiti removal program for the calendar
year 2024, as requested by Council Member Steven Ly. Over the past several years, City staff
has provided updates to the City Council regarding the graffiti removal program's development
and implementation, with the City Council providing insightful feedback and direction. The most
recent update was in March 2024, and since then, staff has made substantial improvements based
on City Council feedback and direction.
The City's graffiti removal program, managed by the Public Works Department's Public
Services Division, has been operational for several years and has been successful in reducing
graffiti levels throughout the City. The program involves a dedicated team of two maintenance
workers and one maintenance lead worker, along with vehicles equipped with graffiti removal
equipment and pressure washing capabilities. Once a graffiti incident or removal request is
reported, it is promptly addressed within 24 hours. Graffiti removal requests can be reported to
the City through four different methods:
1) Daily windshield surveys along two routes (Attachment A) covering major corridors, 365
days a year, which allow staff to proactively assess and address incidents of graffiti.
2) GoGov Citizen Request Management (CRM) portal that allows staff and the public to
submit graffiti removal requests via any computer browser or the MyRosemead App.
3) Graffiti Tracker software program that also allows staff to document incidents and make
reports.
4) Reports made through the 24/7 Graffiti Hotline that allows residents to call-in graffiti
incidents and removal request at any time of the day.
AGENDA ITEM 5.A
City Council Meeting
January 28, 2025
Page 2 of 5
Over the past year, the Public Services Division has taken proactive steps to enhance the graffiti
removal program. The division has doubled the number of windshield survey sweeps to twice
daily and it has made strides in upgrading and modernizing equipment, including adding the
purchase of a 2025 Ford Super Duty F-550 truck equipped with graffiti removal equipment to the
FY 2024-25 operations budget. The new vehicle will replace an existing vehicle that is no longer
in service and will supplement the existing fleet, ensuring the program's continued effectiveness
and efficiency.
Most of the reported graffiti incidents originate from windshield surveys and the City's GoGov
Citizen Request Management (CRM) system. Once the graffiti has been identified, it is removed
within 24hrs. As part of the removal work, staff documents detail including the number of
incidents, the affected surface area, the staff time spent, and the associated cost.
In 2024, the Public Services Division responded to a total of 3,531 graffiti incident reports. The
total graffiti -abated surface area increased significantly reaching approximately 181,000 square
feet. This represents a substantial increase of approximately 28% and 247% respectively when
compared to the previous year's data. The total labor cost for responding to these incidents has
also increased, with the City spending $32,896.77 in calendar year 2024, compared to the
$22,257.48 spent in calendar year 2023 (an increase of 48%). This data is summarized in the
following table (Table 1):
Year
Total Incidents
Total Square Footage of Graffiti
Abated (sq/ft)
Total Labor Costs
2023
2,766
52,129
22,257.48
2024
3,531
180,723
32,896.77
% Change
28%
247%
48%
Table 1: Graffiti Removal Program Calendar Year 2024 Statistics
Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and applying geo-analytical models to this data,
staff can gain an understanding of the characteristics of graffiti incidents to develop strategic
response plans for efficient handling and removal.
To provide additional context, Attachments B, C, D, and E are "heatmaps" generated by the GIS
using this data. These maps visually represent the locations of high concentrations of graffiti
incidents throughout the year. The persistent graffiti hotspots are predominantly located in the
southern region of the city, with a specific concentration near the intersection of Garvey Avenue
and Jackson Avenue.
Attachment F, a predictive analysis map, further supports these insights by illustrating potential
future incident locations based on the data. This map helps the department in determining
resource allocation to effectively address these hotspots.
City Council Meeting
January 28, 2025
Page 3 of 5
Another important dataset to consider is the origin of incident reporting and abatement requests.
Attachment G illustrates the proportion of reports made by both staff and residents. Out of the
approximately 3,531 reports filed in 2024, 3,227 were submitted by staff, while the remaining
304 reports were made by the public.
In addition to windshield surveys and the GoGov CRM system, staff has implemented the
Graffiti Tracker software, a platform specifically designed to monitor, analyze, and report graffiti
incidents, particularly those involving gang -related activity. This tool serves as a valuable
resource for cities, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations in managing graffiti
incidents by effectively tracking their occurrences and streamlining response efforts. Below are
the key features of this program:
1.) Incident Reporting: Users, such as city officials or sheriff personnel, can submit graffiti
reports via the platform. This oftentimes includes documenting important information
such as location, type of graffiti, photographs, and monikers/gang names.
2.) Database and Mapping: The platform logs these reports in a database and provides a
mapping feature to visualize where there are concentrations of graffiti.
3.) Analysis Tools: Users can access various analytical tools within the software to
understand trends, such as the frequency of graffiti over a period of time.
4.) Collaboration: Graffiti Tracker enables collaboration among various departments and
law enforcement agencies, facilitating coordinated responses to graffiti -related issues and
collaborative efforts for restitution.
5.) Reporting and Feedback: The platform can generate reports and metrics that can be
useful for policymaking, understanding community impact, and planning prevention
strategies.
Since the Graffiti Tracker program's implementation in March 2024, Public Services staff has
been diligently using it to monitor and document graffiti incidents across the City. This involves
creating reports on the platform for each -and -every incident encountered, including documenting
relevant details like photographs and location information. Subsequently, a Graffiti Tracker
analyst organizes and categorizes these incidents, providing the City with a comprehensive
overview of the responsible party or parties. Notably, a single gang entity stands out with the
highest share of graffiti incidents, comprising a total of 1,110 graffiti reports out of the 1,429
reports recorded in the Graffiti Tracker system.
The 24/7 Graffiti Hotline is another key component of the City's efforts to combat graffiti. This
service provides residents with a convenient, round-the-clock option to report graffiti incidents
and submit removal requests. By simply calling (626) 569-2345 at any time, community
members can help ensure that graffiti incidents are promptly addressed. The hotline, along with
the other reporting methods, supports the City's proactive approach to graffiti abatement
management, enabling timely responses and efficient resource allocation.
City Council Meeting
January 28, 2025
Page 4 of 5
As efforts continue to address graffiti -related challenges, the City is also focused on enhancing
communication and accessibility for all residents. In a previous City Council meeting, it was
requested that staff investigate and address language accessibility issues with the CRM system
and the MyRosemead App. Currently, GoGov, the operator of the CRM system and the
MyRosemead App, does not offer their products in a language other than English but that they
have received similar requests from other clients and are working to develop a solution.
Additionally, staff is actively working on implementing language options for the 24/7 Graffiti
Hotline to ensure accessibility for all residents.
Overall, the City's graffiti removal program has made significant strides in effectively managing
and addressing graffiti incidents across the community. Through proactive measures, including
the expansion of windshield surveys, the integration of advanced technologies like GIS,
implementation of the Graffiti Tracker program, and the acquisition of modern equipment, the
program has shown remarkable improvement in efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, the
City's commitment to inclusivity is evident in its ongoing efforts to address language
accessibility issues, ensuring all residents can contribute to the upkeep of their neighborhood.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this staff report.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ENVIRONMENTA REVIEW
None.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
Graffiti abatement is consistent with the City of Rosemead's Strategic Plan Goal C —
Infrastructure and Facilities, which is to enhance streets, sidewalks, and public infrastructure;
coordinate with relevant utility agencies regarding safety and enhancements; and modernize
facilities by expanding the use of wireless network technology and renewable energy.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prep
/ 'elle Garcia
Public Works Fiscal and Project Manager
City Council Meeting
January 28, 2025
Page 5 of 5
by:
Works Director
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Attachment A: Graffiti Removal Daily Inspection Routes
Attachment B: Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 1 of Calendar Year 2024
Attachment C: Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 2 of Calendar Year 2024
Attachment D: Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 3 of Calendar Year 2024
Attachment E: Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 4 of Calendar Year 2024
Attachment F: Predictive Analysis Map of Graffiti Incidents Based on Calendar Year 2024 Data
Attachment G: Proportion of Customer Types Reporting Graffiti Removal Requests
Attachment A
Graffiti Removal Daily Inspection Routes
P 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
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County of Los Angeles, California StataA>arks, Esri, TomTom, Garmin,
SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA USGS, Bureau of Land
Management, EPA NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA, USFWS
Graffiti Routes
City Boundary
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Graffiti Routes
City Boundary
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Route 2
Attachment B
Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 1 of Calendar
Year 2024
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Graffiti Heatmap: Quarter 1 (January - March)
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Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 2 of Calendar
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Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 3 of Calendar
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Graffiti Heatmap for Quarter 4 of Calendar
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Attachment F
Predictive Analysis Map of Graffiti Incidents Based
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