Graffiti harms a community in many ways. It defaces buildings, lowers property values and invites other types of criminal activity. It also discourages customers, visitors or prospective residents.
Graffiti costs both businesses and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year in lost revenue and clean-up activities.
Stop Graffiti from Spreading
Removing graffiti quickly is one of the most effective ways to prevent repeat incidents. When graffiti is removed within 72 hours, the likelihood of it reappearing in the same location is reduced.
Leaving graffiti in place can send the message that a property or area is not monitored or cared for, which may lead to additional graffiti and other disorder in the area.
Graffiti is also often easier to remove when addressed promptly and may not require harsh chemical products or repainting.
Report Graffiti
If your property has been targeted by graffiti, please report it to Coquitlam RCMP and obtain a police file number before submitting your report to Community Policing.
Graffiti on private property can be reported to Community Policing:
- in person at either of our two Community Police Offices
- by email at [email protected]
When submitting a graffiti report for private property, please be prepared to provide:
- the location of the graffiti
- a description of the graffiti
- photographs taken by the affected property owner or occupant
- the date and approximate time, if known
- the Coquitlam RCMP police file number
Once the required information has been received and reviewed, Community Policing may issue a coupon if requested that can be used to access discounted paint and supplies through our partner, Sherwin-Williams Paints. You may request a coupon either in person at either of our two Community Police Offices or by email at [email protected]
To report graffiti on City/public property or BC Hydro boxes, complete a service request by:
Graffiti Removal Support
To help ease the burden of graffiti removal, Sherwin-Williams Paints provides discounted paint and supplies for eligible graffiti clean-up.
To access this support, the affected person must:
- report the graffiti to Coquitlam RCMP
- take photographs of the graffiti
- provide the police file number
- submit the required information to Community Policing
The required information can be submitted to Community Policing:
- in person at either of our two Community Police Offices
- by email at [email protected]
After the report has been reviewed, Community Policing will issue a coupon to the affected person for use toward eligible paint and supply purchases.