Graffiti Abatement

Do Not Remove from These Properties!
In many cases, graffiti should not be removed from surfaces, but reported to the responsible agency instead. Please call the appropriate agency to report graffiti for removal. If you are unsure about which agency to call, try our Graffiti Hotline 808-8819.
Prior permission to remove the graffiti is important. If you have already acquired permission from the property owner, or you are the property owner, click here or attach images to the graffiti report form. Please keep copies of the photographs for your personal record.

City of Sacramento, Graffiti Abatement Program
Code Enforcement Department - (916) 808-5948

Graffiti Crimes in Progress
Sacramento City Police - (916) 264-5151
Sacramento County Sheriff - (916) 874-5111
CHP North Sacramento - (916) 338-6710
CHP South Sacramento - (916) 681-2300
Folsom - (916) 355-7231

County of Sacramento
State Highway - (916) 859-7810
West Sacramento - (916) 617-4900
Elk Grove - (916) 405-5300
Folsom - (916) 355-7229
Roseville - (916) 774-5000
Citrus Heights - 727-4791

Agencies & Companies
Light Rail - (916) 557-4545
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - (916) 732-6043
US Postal Service - (916) 263-7074
BFI Dumpsters - (916) 631-0600
Waste Management Dumpsters - (916) 387-1400
Railroad Property - (916) 789-5320
Viacom Billboards - (916) 372-8252
Clear Channel Billboards - (916) 492-1303

School Districts
North Sacramento - (916) 263-8300
Sacramento - (916) 264-4075
Elk Grove - (916) 686-7745
Grant - (916) 286-4875
Natomas - (916) 567-5400
Rio Linda - (916) 566-1600
San Juan - (916) 971-5743
Roseville - (916) 786-5090

Record - Report - Remove

If you plan to remove graffiti yourself, use the Record - Report - Remove method.

Record. Photographs help the police identify local graffiti hot spots. Gang-related graffiti is forwarded to the Gang Unit for identification and intelligence purposes. If a trail of photographic evidence can be tied to a vandal who has been caught, it may raise the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Visually record the graffiti using a color camera (film or digital). For every picture you will send to the police, make a duplicate to keep for your personal records. On the back of the photographs, write your name, date, and detailed description of the location of the graffiti and mail it to Sacramento Police Department, Attention Graffiti Unit, 5770 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822. Or attach images to the graffiti report form. Please keep copies of the photographs for your personal record.

Report. It is critical to report to the appropriate agency. It is also important to have a cross street for the location.

For your property: Before removing the graffiti, simply call the Police Department's non-emergency number at (916) 264-5471 to report it as a crime. If appropriate, indicate that the graffiti is general blight, or a bias crime, a.k.a. "hate" crime.

For property other than your own: Call the Police Department's non-emergency number at (916) 264-5471 to report the graffiti. Then, refer to the Do Not Remove from These Properties! phone list or the Graffiti Hotline at (916) 808-8819 to report the graffiti to the appropriate agency. The agency personnel will inform you of the correct procedure to follow.

Understanding the process of reporting a graffiti crime

Remove. graffiti is a simple step-by-step process. Follow the detailed instructions outlined in the next section.

Caution!
If you choose to remove gang-related graffiti, be aware! Gang members may take offense to your actions. It's best to remove gang graffiti during early daylight hours with a partner. If you feel your safety is at risk, record and report the graffiti, but do not remove it yourself. Call the appropriate agency to have them remove it (see Do Not Remove from These Properties! phone number directory above or call the Graffiti Hotline at (916) 808-8819).

Don't paint these surfaces!
Postal boxes Traffic control boxes Light poles Fire alarm boxes Bus shelters & benches Telephone booths Dumpsters Red brick (unpainted) Newspaper boxes Meters - parking, gas or water SMUD boxes	Refer to the Do Not Remove from These Properties phone number directory above and report graffiti found on these surfaces to the proper agency. If you are unsure about whether or not you should paint a surface, call (916) 808-3951 for further assistance.

Safety Tips

Be aware of your surroundings
Do not possess or use alcohol/drugs while working
Obey warning signs, posted instruction, and placards regarding restricted areas
Wear proper clothing, something you can get paint on
Wear protective equipment when specified by graffiti remover product manufacturer
Do not stand on unsafe equipment
Please dispose of all hazardous materials in accordance with City and State guidelines
When possible, go out with a friend. Remember: Safety in numbers!

Step-by-Step Removal Tips

Identify the method of application and the surface
The sooner you remove graffiti, the easier it is to clean. Before you select the best removal method, identify the surface to be cleaned and the method used to apply the graffiti. Smooth, hard surfaces are the easiest to clean and rough, porous surfaces are the most difficult. Materials used to apply graffiti include spray paint, grease pencils, felt-tipped pens, water-based paint, stickers, shoe polish and even crayons.
Choose a removal method
Try using soap, water and a soft brush first. If that doesn't work, use a removal product that's appropriate for the application method and surface. (See: Graffiti Removal at a Glance) In many instances, graffiti can be cleaned using a removal product rather than painting over it. Removing graffiti is preferred since it is easier than painting and eliminates the difficulty of matching paint.
The removal materials listed are inexpensive, portable and easy to use. Most are non-toxic and available through the Graffiti Abatement Program.
While the brand name products listed below are not the only ones on the market, they can be very effective in removing graffiti.
Locate removal supplies
The Graffiti Abatement Program offers removal supplies that citizens can check out and use free of charge. The city also provides a computerized paint-matching service to City residents and businesses on a one-time basis.
In addition, several local paint stores offer discounts to citizens involved with the Graffiti Abatement Program.

Participating stores include:

Dunn-Edwards Paints
Fuller O'Brien Paints
Kelly Moore Paint Co.

For Referral Services, call (916) 808-3951.

Caution!
If you use chemicals, follow manufacturer's instructions and wear proper protective equipment. Some removers may damage some painted surfaces.

Graffiti Removal at a Glance

Surface	Method of Graffiti	Removal Method
Painted wood or metal	Pens	Denatured alcohol or Lift Off or similar product

Painted wood, concrete or metal	Spray paint	Denatured alcohol or repaint

Traffic signal boxes	Any	Lift Off or similar product

Unpainted concrete, stucco or aggregate	Pens or spray paint	Lift Off or similar product, then water under pressure with a wire brush

Glass or plastic	Pens, spray paint or stickers	Window scraper, then denatured alcohol

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