Graffiti Removal Team - Community Response to Property Crime

The Graffiti Removal Team (gRT) works to stop the deterioration of Burlington's neighborhoods by repairing damage done by property crime. Community volunteers remove graffiti, mend fences, replant gardens, fix windows and more. Although acts of vandalism are often considered low-level crime, the community is greatly affected when the damage is not addressed. Neighborhoods with lots of litter, graffiti, and broken windows start to look run down and feel unsafe. gRT gives residents and business owners the tools they need to take control and restore neighborhood pride.

In the past two years, over 250 volunteers have cleaned close to 1000 graffiti tags. Six murals have been painted in commonly "tagged" areas and GRT's list of community partners has grown to over 40 groups, organizations and businesses. In 2004 GRT won a national "Graffiti Hurts" Award from Keep America Beautiful, Inc. for its innovative response to property crime.

The Graffiti Removal Team 's Activities Include:

• Scouting for Crime & Victims: Citizens, Victims, Police Officers and Business Owners report incidents of vandalism to the GRT by calling our hotline at 865-7548, emailing imeno@ci.burlington.vt.us, or faxing a report form to 865-7117.
   
• Repairs and Clean-ups: GRT organizes regular Saturday morning community clean-ups.
   
• Team Leader Development: GRT trains offenders and students who need to do community service to lead teams of volunteers on clean-up events.
   
• Youth Action & Service Learning: GRT provides quality community service opportunities for youth and school groups. Performing repairs and seeing the direct effect of their work helps everyone take pride in their community.
   
• Adopt a Block: GRT recruits volunteers to take on a specific area or street as their "territory." The Adopt A Block Volunteer is given their own graffiti removal kit and asked to clean any new incidents within 48 hours. Experience shows the quicker a graffiti "tag" is removed the less likely it is to return. Adopt A Block has been extremely successful at deterring graffiti in both business and residential areas that have traditionally been overrun with "tags." In addition, it gives frustrated community members an effective means for improving their streets.
   
• Mural Projects & Restorative Activities: Mural painting provides the opportunity for offenders and volunteers to enhance buildings and spaces that are deteriorating or repeatedly "tagged" with graffiti.