Graffiti Removal Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Adams County Community Safety and Well-Being initiated a graffiti removal program in 2015 to address graffiti in Unincorporated Adams County. The program initially focused on providing free graffiti removal to commercial and residential constituents without issuing code violations. However, as the community grew, the program expanded to include a seasonal initiative to hire individuals with lived experience, specifically those experiencing homelessness, to address graffiti. This aligned with our strategic framework for addressing homelessness, developed by our Poverty Reduction unit. The program resulted in a noticeable decline in constituent grievances related to graffiti, and a 79% decrease in complaints in the first year of the program. The program has helped individuals acquire job skills, find full-time employment, and become self-sufficient members of the community who make significant contributions in their respective fields. It has also helped to maintain the cleanliness and aesthetics of public spaces, particularly in the County Parks and Trails system. By empowering individuals and enhancing public spaces, the program has not only removed graffiti but also contributed to the overall well-being of the community. It has demonstrated the positive impact that a socially responsible and collaborative government can have.