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WHAT IS GRAFFITI? Graffiti is an act of vandalism where public or private property is defaced by painting, drawing, writing, etching or
carving without the property owner’s permission.
Graffiti vandals use a variety of materials such as spray paint, crayons and permanent ink to deface property. Hobby knives and razor blades are used to cause permanent damage to glass and other surfaces.
WHERE DOES GRAFFITI COMMONLY OCCUR? Graffiti can occur anywhere, however some of the more popular targets include:  • Public and private buildings • Recreational facilities • Newspaper boxes • Municipal street furniture • Utility boxes • Parks and playgrounds • Bridges and overpasses • Public transit property & vehicles • Canada Post mail boxes & property HOW DOES GRAFFITI AFFECT THE COMMUNITY? • Increased taxes to fund clean-up programs. The City of Mississauga spends a significant amount of money on property repair, clean- up and restoration due to graffiti vandalism.
• When witnessing suspicious behaviour or graffii City of Mississauga property, call Corporate Security immediately at 905-896-5040.
WHAT KIND OF INITIATIVES HAS THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA TAKEN TO COMBAT GRAFFITI? • The formation of the Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team (I.M.E.T.). I.M.E.T. is made up of staff from Corporate Security, Enforcement Division, Councillor’s Offices, Peel Regional Police, Peel Public Health and AGCO. The members of I.M.E.T. meet monthly to discuss issues that arise in the community. Once an issue has been identified, the members of I.M.E.T. discuss and recommend solutions. • Safe City Mississauga runs a neighbourhood watch program which encourages residents to report vandalism and other crimes in progress. Safe City also runs “Counter-Act”, an anti-vandalism committee made up of city staff, some Councillors, representatives from the corporate community, school boards and the Police. • Professional murals have been painted in areas that are high risk for graffiti (See example below).
WHAT IS CORPORATE SECURITY’S ROLE? In 2008, Corporate Security established a central reporting system for graffiti in the City of Mississauga, known as The Graffiti Project. The goal of the Graffiti Project is to create a comprehensive plan to address graffiti in a coordinated, citywide effort through prevention, intervention, and enforcement. It has been proven that public education and community involvement have a direct impact on reducing graffiti within a community. Since 2008, Peel Regional Police have laid over 50 charges as a direct result of Corporate Security’s reporting system. Realizing the impact on our community, Corporate Security has implemented a Graffiti Co-ordinator who is responsible for tracking and documenting acts of graffiti that occur within the City of Mississauga. The Graffiti Coordinator is also responsible for identifying problematic areas, identifying repeat offenders and liaising with the Peel Regional Police. 
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