Item 286/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Lisa L. Kim
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Manager
Date: 8/12/2025
Subject: Update on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Graffiti Abatement Program.
OBJECTIVE
To provide the City Council with an update on the Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Graffiti Abatement Program and outline the enhanced service levels implemented through the amended contract with Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. (GPC).
BACKGROUND
From June 24 to July 23, 2024, a 30 -day pilot program was implemented to expand graffiti removal service levels to address rising graffiti concerns. The expanded services included:
the addition of a third graffiti removal truck; seven-day weekly service, and an increased scope of work to allow for removal of graffiti on private property facing public streets.
Following the success of the pilot program, the City Council approved an amended agreement with G PC that provided for an increase of baseline service levels to maintain three (3) operating trucks providing service seven (7) days a week and removal of graffiti found in the public right -of-way and private property through November 30, 202 4. In compariso n, previous service levels only allowed for two (2) trucks on a staggered schedule (one truck , six days per week and another truck three days per week) with the ability to solely address public right-of-way incidents.
DISCUSSION
During the subsequent mon ths of August 2024 to November 2024, the City’s Public Works Department and City Manager’s Office continued to monitor graffiti incidents and responses throughout the City. As a result of increased service levels, GPC was able to address 930 incidents of graffiti found on private property and 3,918 incidents on public property. This demonstrated a notable increase compar ed to the zero incidents of graffiti proactively removed from private property and the 4,349 incidents of graffiti removed from public property during the same time period in 2023.
Item 286/2025
With the continuation of the Graffiti Abatement Program in FY 2024-25, the Public Works team was able to appropriately adjust service levels to allow for two (2) trucks to provide service six (6) days a week throughout the remainder of FY 2024-25. A few notable highlights:
This increase in service levels resulted in a total of 14,723 work orders completed in FY 2024 -25 compared to the 12,155 work orders completed in FY 2023-24, reflecting a 21.53% increase in graffiti removal. Expanded staffing and coverage allowed the City to not only proactively address chronic problem areas (e.g. 22 FWY /Pearce Pedestrian Bridge), but also support GGPD dispatch with emergency cleanups, and complete sidewalk and bus bench pressure washing.
During FY 2024-25, Code Enforcement continued to work in coordination with the Public Works Department when addressing private property graffiti incidents. Of the 2,677 total code enforcement cases opened, 428 were related to graffiti on private property.
Overall, the FY 2024 –25 Graffiti Abatement Program demonstrated the value of sustained investment in proactive, rapid-response services. With expanded staffing, greater flexibility, and measurable results, the program significantly improved the City’s cleanliness, responsiveness, and cross -departmental efficiency. These measurable results are incorporated into the Graffiti Abatement Monthly Report s that are available on the City’s website at https://ggcity.org/pw/graffiti-abatement. The most re cent Monthly Reports for April 2025 and May 2025 are attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Receive and file this report. Staff will continue to monitor program performance and explore long -term service level adjustments as needed to maintain effective citywide graffiti abatement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Graffiti Abatement Monthly Report for May 2025
2. Graffiti Abatement Monthly Report for April 2025