GRAFFITI RESOURCES

The Pittsburgh Police Department has implemented a graffiti database to assist officers in identifying and tracking graffiti activities. With the assistance of the community a high-tech weapon is now being used to fight against graffiti taggers.

The community’s responsibility is just as important as the officer’s. All graffiti must be reported in a timely manner to the local police. Sometimes the victims of graffiti are reluctant to press charges after violators are caught. After reporting the graffiti, make sure that the pictures have been taken by the local police zone designated graffiti officer, or by a member of the Graffiti Task Force. If you are unsure if pictures have been taken or not call 412-323-7818 or 412-323-7800 to inquire. Please request that pictures are taken prior to removing the graffiti.

After pictures are taken the graffiti should be removed as soon as possible. Assistance is given through Graffiti Busters 412-255-2872. If the victim removes graffiti privately please retain receipts for all the costs involved. Properties that are spray painted frequently may be used as “Bait” locations by the Graffiti Task Force (with the permission of the owners).

Please report suspicious individuals or possible taggers to the local police. Any help will assist the Graffiti Task Force in identifying taggers. Please encourage neighbors to reports all graffiti to the police. The Graffiti Task Force can speak to local community groups upon request. Start an information sharing network with neighbors to help combat this problem. The sharing of information via email has shown to be efficient and easy.

Stay vigilant and keep dark areas lit. Encourage your neighbors to reports and clean graffiti from their properties.

Call 9-1-1 to report taggers in action.

Graffiti Task Force:

Detective Alphonso Sloan
1203 Western Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412-495-6052
alphonso.sloan@city.pittsburgh.pa.us