Graffiti Removal & Information Program

Arts and Craps

There are several sites in Toronto, upon which graffiti artists have created some breathtaking and inspiring works of art. Unfortunately most of us see only the desecration that graffiti vandals leave on our street furniture, street appliances and public and private properties.

The noxious proliferation of vandalism in the form of graffiti continues to visually pollute our public and private buildings, spaces and structures. Graffiti precipitates a depreciation in property value, condones and perpetuates profanity, encourages other random or organized acts of vandalism, can be racist; can be culturally offensive, and can be a territorialistic demarcation by persons, groups or gangs. If graffiti vandalism is not removed and surfaces restored it will only serve to attract more 'tagging' and layered defacement.

Community Centre 55's GRP service is available to remove graffiti and restore surfaces with touch-up painting. We hire mature and responsible students who we trained to remove graffiti and repaint surfaces from public, private, and corporate property. Call 691-1113 ext. 222 to get cleaned up!

The GIGGING and the GAGGING continues. We have developed a few GIGS. A GIG is a Graffiti Impact Group. These GIGS provide an opportunity for offender and victim to meet, in a supervised moderated model of mutual respect. Victim impact statements are made and there is opportunity for the offender to speak. GAGS are slowly developing as well. A GAG is a Graffiti Attack Group. These groups are local volunteers who take to the streets to clean up the tags, stickers etc. from street appliances and furniture. Centre 55 may be able to provide the necessary tools and the volunteers provide the labour.

Please Note: Community Centre 55 puts young offenders to work in our community, by having them remove graffiti vandalism. This is the only work available, from Community Centre 55, to young people disposed of by the courts with community service hours. There is also opportunity for young offenders to participate in victim impact meetings. These meetings are supervised to ensure mutual respect and dignity.