New Graffiti Removal Strategy Increases Productivity and Improves Service Delivery

Six-month data shows crews’ daily productivity has increased 16 percent as a result of the grid system, maximizing resources and beautifying communities

Six months after transitioning the Graffiti Blaster program to a grid system, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) has announced its graffiti removal crews have increased their daily productivity by 16 percent and have removed more than 64,000 instances of graffiti on public and private property in 2012.

“I am committed to providing taxpayers with the highest quality and most efficient services possible,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “By taking a more strategic approach to removing graffiti, we are able to complete more work in a day and make smarter use of our resources to keep our communities clean and safe.”

Under the grid system, DSS graffiti crews now “blitz” four wards per day addressing outstanding calls in targeted geographic areas. Each ward is blitzed approximately once every 14 days. Additional graffiti crews are dispatched to other areas of the city to address emergencies and other priority situations.

In addition to increased productivity, the DSS blitz method significantly reduces the amount of time and expense associated with fuel and vehicle maintenance that occur when crews drive from one location to the next.

“Graffiti impacts the beauty and vitality of a community, and it is our priority to remove any vandalism as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Thomas G. Byrne, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. “The grid service delivery model has allowed us to become more efficient and streamline our operations to provide residents with the best possible service.”

The Graffiti Blasters program employs "blast" trucks that use baking soda under high water pressure to remove painted graffiti from brick, stone and other mineral surfaces. The program also deploys paint trucks to cover graffiti on surfaces such as metal or wood.

Graffiti removal is a free service offered by the City of Chicago. The graffiti program works with aldermen, community groups, block clubs, chambers of commerce and residents to respond to reports of graffiti.

Residents who would like to report graffiti can call 311, or visit www.cityofchicago.org/dss.

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