Graffiti Task Force

==Background==
* New to city in 2007.
* City had Graffiti Busters trucks, with Tom Murphy's name on the side.
* Three detectives, cameras.
A growing problem of graffiti vandalism has happened throughout the city.
==Links==
* Graffiti
* Police
==Insights==
===Ways to Combat Graffiti===
Neighborhood organization and community groups can better partner with the police and Graffiti
Busters to clean up our neighborhood.
Call 911 to report graffiti vandalism to start the process! Report it in a timely manner to
the local police. The community’s responsibility is important.
After reporting the
graffiti, make sure that 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
the 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.
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 utilized to fight against graffiti
taggers.
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 the graffiti privately please retain
receipts for all of 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 report 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 report and
clean graffiti from their properties.
Officers on the task force are typically in the office on
weekdays and are available to speak with citizens. Forward all information that
you feel is graffiti related to them. 
Refer to graffiti as vandalism, not art and the
perpetrators as vandals, not artists. It
is not art; it is tagging and property
destruction!
Sometimes the victims of
graffiti are reluctant to press charges after
violators are caught.