No plans to expand Penticton graffiti program

PENTICTON – A collaborative effort to clean up graffiti in Penticton is expected to continue without changes through 2017.

The program, which has been operating since early 2015, removed more than 1,000 tags in 2016.

Bylaw control officer Tina Siebert said in an email the city partnership with the Downtown Penticton Association is expected to continue through this year with no plans to expand the program. She says any decisions to expand the program would require a recommendation from Council.

The graffiti program got underway with city council’s approval of a graffiti management policy in March, 2015.

The program presently covers instances of graffiti in the downtown core, but hopes are to one day expand the program to other parts of the city.

Reports of graffiti are made to the city, who then activate contractor Pure Pressure. The contractor then responds within a specified time frame to ensure the graffiti is removed in a timely manner.

Siebert said exact figures regarding the program’s cost weren’t immediately available.

Residents witnessing graffiti, especially that which is offensive in nature, are encourged to report it to the city by phoning 250-493-8540, or by emailing: graffiti@penticton.ca.

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