Graffiti Eradication Program
Partnerships
The Graffiti Eradication Program has a guiding coalition of 17 Police Service members who were selected to spearhead the program into the Division in which they worked. There is a vibrant partnership with community stakeholders, media person, agency members and local politicians. The Toronto Crime Stoppers has played a special part in the design, development and delivery of anti graffiti poster program Graffiti Eradication Program has a guiding coalition of 16 Police Service members who were selected to spearhead the program into the Division in which they worked. There is a vibrant partnership with community stakeholders, media person, agency members and local politicians. The Toronto Crime Stoppers has played a special part in the design, development and delivery of anti graffiti poster program
The following is a list of growing partnerships:
- Canada Post
- Toronto Crime Stoppers
- Toronto Transit Commission
- Provincial Prisoner Work Program
- Community Police Liaison Committee
- PARA Paints
- Commercial Business College/Police Foundation
Toronto Transit Commission
 The Toronto Transit Commission strongly supports and is an active participant/partner in the Toronto Police Service’s ongoing campaign against graffiti. The Toronto Transit Commission does not tolerate graffiti on its property or vehicles. All graffiti is removed within 24 hours after being reported to the maintenance section. The Commission strongly believes that by immediately cleaning graffiti off its vehicles and structures the message is communicated to the public that graffiti will not be tolerated.
The Toronto Transit Commission has Transit Special Constables in plainclothes and uniform who are sworn Peace Officers and have the same authority as Toronto Police to enforce the Criminal Code on all TTC property. The Officers are familiar with the various tags and target areas where graffiti frequently occurs. They will track a graffiti vandal’s movement through the damage they leave behind. Where possible, all graffiti reports are accompanied by photographs of the damage. These photographs are catalogued for future use in the prosecution of any graffiti vandals that are apprehended. The Toronto Transit Commission also seeks restitution from the vandals, when the case is before the courts or after, through the Toronto Transit Commission’s claims department.
 The TTC Criminal Investigation Unit has a Special Constable assigned to the task of dealing with graffiti reports generated by Transit Special Constables and other TTC employees. A Vandal Apprehension program is also in place for employees who report a graffiti crime that leads to the subsequent arrest and conviction of the vandal. The Toronto Transit Commission also assists other law enforcement agencies in Ontario with their graffiti problems through training and sharing information about graffiti trends and arrested vandals.
Graffiti vandalism has cost the Toronto Transit Commission millions of dollars over the years - money needlessly spent because of a few individuals longing for notoriety.
Graffiti Eradication Program is an effective partner of Province’s Prisoner Work Program
 Since August 2000, the Ministry of Correctional Services has supported the work of the Toronto Police Service Graffiti Eradication Program through Ontario’s expanded Prisoner Work Program.
"By participating in the Prisoner Work Program, individuals can learn the value of a hard day’s work while providing a very worthwhile service to various communities across Ontario," says Minister of Correctional Services Rob Sampson. In partnership with the Toronto Police Community Response Units, prisoners white-wash graffiti at carefully selected locations across the city. The Community Response Units identify locations across Toronto that require clean up while the ministry provides prisoners to perform the work. Prisoner work crews operate under the supervision of correctional officers and police officers to ensure public safety.
"The Graffiti Eradication Program is a valuable and worthwhile endeavor that both educates and helps to keep neighbourhoods across Toronto clean," says Sampson.
"The Graffiti Eradication Program is a valuable and worthwhile endeavor that both educates and helps to keep neighbourhoods across Toronto clean," says Sampson.
Ancient Solutions for Contemporary Problems
 On Monday October 1st, 2001 the Toronto Police Service celebrated its first year anniversary of the Graffiti Eradication Program.
To mark this event an aboriginal mural was selected as an ancient solution to combat contemporary graffiti. The site selected was a Parks and Recreation Structure located in David Balfour Park. This structure has been the target of graffiti vandals for a number of years and required constant Parks maintenance and police intervention. The mural stands as a testament to a communities efforts against graffiti, as numerous studies have concluded that "murals" reduce continued vandal graffiti on a surface by as much as 77%.
 Honorary guest participating in this event were; Deputy Chief Mike Boyd, Councillor Kyle Rae, General Manager Parks and Rec Claire Tucker-Reid, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, and the artists of the 7th Generation Image Makers, along with numerous community residents and business owners.
The mural was consecrated in an ancient aboriginal smudging ceremony officiated by Elder Raymond Gould and CPSU Cst Wayne Vanderyagt.
Photos depict Deputy Chief Boyd participating in the smudging ceremony, a front view of the completed mural, as well as a group photo of several community participants and program supporters.
23 Division Taking Back the Streets...One Wall at a Time!
23 Division Graffiti Eradication Coordinator Sgt Larry Dee, center rear, is assisted by S/Sgt Mike Pinfold (23 CR) in presenting an appreciation plaque to Amada McKill of SICO paints. They are all circled by youth volunteers from the Elm Bank Community Center, North Albion Collegiate Institute and Kipling Collegiate Institute.
Sgt Dee recruited the volunteers in a bid to eradicate youth gang and drug sub-culture graffiti which covered the Hwy 27/Humber River underpass. The students met on a number of occasions and designed their own mural, and with paints supplied by SICO, took back the underpass with a tasteful, multi-cultural styled mural.
All youth volunteers received one of our Services "Respect Certificates" for their courage and contribution in addressing neighborhood crime and violence with a message of peace and community spirit.
13 Division, Councillor and Community Rally to Reclaim Gang Turf
 October 1, 2001 - On Tuesday the 25th of September 2001, members of 13 Division commenced a joint undertaking with City Councilor Betty Disero's office to eradicate and clean up the pedestrian tunnel in the Bert Robinson Park. This tunnel is used to connect two neighborhoods (between 13 Division and 12 Division) and is a very high traffic area. Councilor Disero's office identified this tunnel through various and numerous complaints from the surrounding community.
 The tunnel was literally covered with Graffiti and most of the markings were "Gang Tags". The perception the community had of this area was one of high crime, disorder and fear. We received assistance from the Police Foundations Department of the Commercial Business College who supplied us with 31 volunteers. Councilor Disero's office arranged for 20 gallons of paint and Home Depot supplied 25 Brushes and paint stir sticks. As well the C.P.L.C. of 13 Division supplied funds to have bottled ice water available to the volunteers.
 
The paint over covered approx. 300 square metres. Councilor Disero's office issued a media release about the project. Representatives from the Toronto Star as well as the local newspaper "The Guardian" covered the event.
Community members are now back, and once again using this community tunnel pathway!
TPS Graffiti Eradication Program Honoured
 September 20, 2001 - The Toronto Police Service was recently honoured as the recipient of a "City Scroll" signed by Mayor Mel Lastman and endorsed by City Council. The scroll congratulates the efforts of all 17 TPS Divisions for their contribution to graffiti eradication programs during the past year. This co-ordinated program to remove graffiti in public and private areas focused on decreasing street level crime, fear disorder and the unsightly disfiguring of property.
During 2000 and 2001, TPS co-ordinators and support staff were responsible for: the eradication of over over 52,000 square feet of graffiti covered surfaces, the distribution of 10,000 anti-graffiti Crime Stoppers posters, 25,000 anti-graffiti brochures, numerous community seminars, workshops and school presentations, media presentations, as well as news and magazine articles. Our officers' enhanced awareness of graffiti issues resulted in the arrest of 122 graffiti "taggers" and significant intelligence leads regarding street gangs.
This highly successful program has since been presented to members of other local police services such as Peel, York, Barrie, Hamilton and the CN Police.
Project T.A.G. (Teens Against Graffiti) achieves new benchmark!
 Project T.A.G. (Teens Against Graffiti) is a partnership program involving the Toronto Police Service, Canada Post and Toronto youth volunteers. This program focuses on the clean up of Toronto's 10,000 Canada Post mail and relay boxes hit by graffiti tags.
Staff Sergeant Heinz Kuck of 53 CRU is seen here presenting Forrest Hill Collegiate student Bronson Sardinha with a Toronto Police Service "Respect Certificate," for having reached a personal bench mark of cleaning over 200 illegal graffiti tags from Canada Post Mail Boxes throughout the 53 Division area.
For more information about the T.A.G. program, contact your local Divisional Graffiti Eradication Program Coordinator, or visit our Graffiti Eradication Program site at www.TorontoPolice.on.ca
 Members representing G.T.A. Police Services met in Toronto and were introduced to our Services Graffiti Eradication Program.
Backrow left to right: D/C Jeff Majik (Hamilton Police Service), P.C. Tom McKay (Peel Region Police Service), P.C. Mark Kennie (Barrie Police Service), Staff Sergeant Heinz Kuck (Toronto Police Service - hosting agency), Craig Wright (T.T.C.), P.C. Mark Alterman (York Regional Police Service), Cst Marc Pontenier (C.N. Police). Frontrow left to right: P.C. Greg Bricknell (Barrie Police Service), Cst Matt Davidson (C.N. Police), Sgt Glenn Fabe (Hamilton Police Service), P.C. Anneli Farrell (Barrie Police Service).
The programs history, philosophy, academic research and operational aspects were presented, and complete program manuals were issued to all attending members. Excellent networking and sharing of graffiti experiences provided a common understanding, and solutions oriented focus. Various aspects of our program will soon be implemented by a number of attending agencies in their jurisdictions.
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