About graffiti cleanup requests
Summary
This section of EveryBlock publishes all locations of graffiti that are scheduled to be cleaned as reported by the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit.
Where we get the data
The data is retrieved from this database of pending graffiti cleanup locations, which is maintained by the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit (CAU).
How often we get the data
This database is updated as graffiti cleaning waivers are received by the CAU from building owners, and EveryBlock retrieves the data on a nightly basis.
About graffiti cleanup requests in general
Much of the graffiti removal performed under this program is done on private property. According to city law (PDF), building owners are legally responsible for removing graffiti on their property, but building owners can have graffiti removed by the city at no cost by filing a waiver (PDF) with the CAU. This waiver allows crews to enter the property and to using high-pressure technology, painting, chemical solvents on the graffiti. Once the waiver is returned to CAU, the graffiti will be removed within an average of four to six weeks.
Call 311 in New York City to report a graffiti location for cleanup. The NYPD offers $500 rewards for the arrest and convictions of anyone who commits graffiti vandalism. Dial 911 for crimes in progress, and 311 to provide information.
See also the list of completed graffiti cleanups. When the EveryBlock database determines that a pending cleanup has been completed, we add a link to the completed cleanup record from the pending cleanup record. Not all completed cleanup records have a corollary pending cleanup record. In these instances, the waiver was received and the cleanup was performed on the same day.
Go here for more information on the New York's Citywide Anti-Graffiti Initiative, including links to the efforts of the NYPD to prevent graffiti and frequently asked questions.
The CAU also offers The Mayor's Paint Program, which allows community and volunteer groups to plan and execute their own cleanup projects with supplies and paint provided by The Mayor’s Office. Paint program locations are not represented in the cleaned graffiti list.