(July 14, 2010) Today NLBCentral debuts a new page--Neighborhood Notebook--devoted to topics that effect the quality of life in our neighborhoods...graffiti, trash, projects coming before the planning commission, nuisance properties, noise, etc. Hopefully there will also be suggestions and ideas from our readers for things that anybody can do to make a difference on their block and in their neighborhood.
What Can YOU Do About Graffiti?
(July 14, 2010) One thing that most residents agree on...graffiti in the neighborhood not only causes visual blight, it's also a factor in reducing property values and it makes us uncomfortable in our own neighborhood. No one likes to drive through a neighborhood that has graffiti on fences, traffic signs, signal boxes or light poles.
The City of Long Beach has a proactive, two pronged approach to graffiti removal. Not only do they have a contractor that removes graffiti, the City makes available free paint to residents who want to remove graffiti from their own property.
See graffiti someplace? Call the Graffiti Hotline at 570-2773 with the following information: address/location of the graffiti, type of surface that the graffiti is on (stucco, brick, wood, light pole, sidewalk, etc.) and the color of the surface. Information about graffiti on other sites, including County property, freeways and train trestles, is directed to the responsible party for removal.
Want to remove graffiti on your own property? Call the Graffiti Hotline, leave a message saying that you would like a paint voucher, leave your name, address and phone number. You'll receive a paint voucher redeamable for a gallon of paint in a color of your choice for you to use in removing the graffiti on your property.
The City recently issued a press release announcing that 99% of graffiti was being removed within 24 hours. If we all help by reporting or removing graffiti promptly maybe that number will become 100%!!