What is Graffiti?
Graffiti is not just words and symbols sprayed on a wall. It is an act of vandalism that costs public resources to clean up every year.
If not immediately removed, graffiti sends out the message that "no one cares" about the area. This creates an open invitation for more graffiti, littering, and loitering. As a result of graffiti, pride in a community may decrease, businesses may suffer, and neighborhoods as a whole can deteriorate.
There are two different kinds of graffiti
- Tagging Graffiti - Graffiti does not necessarily mean that gangs are in your neighborhood. The vast majority of graffiti is written by taggers. These individuals gain "fame" or status from other taggers by painting their distinctive "tags" or nicknames in as many places as possible. They may also paint "pieces" which are highly stylized murals. Quick removal of graffiti is important because it discourages more tagging.
- Gang Graffiti - This form of graffiti is less common and is done mostly by gang members and their associates and is usually limited to a specific home turf claimed by the gang. Such graffiti is a method of communication that is used to promote gangs, mark territories, recruit new members, or intimidate neighborhoods.
What is being done in Battle Ground to combat graffiti?
The City of Battle Ground operates a Graffiti Abatement Program to assist property owners in discouraging and removing graffiti vandalism on private property. Although the City of Battle Ground dedicates resources to control graffiti on public property, the City cannot be effective acting alone. Private citizens are encouraged to take active steps toward maintaining their individual property, and organizing neighborhood cleanup efforts.
Why should I remove the graffiti? I did not put the graffiti there.
Permitting or allowing graffiti to remain on your property is a public nuisance and subject to code enforcement action. Graffiti not only makes our residential neighborhoods and our business communities look unattractive, it affects our property values, business sales, and the community's image. Ignoring graffiti gives the mistaken impression that it is acceptable and only invites more graffiti. It will take the awareness, support, and participation of all to combat the increasing problem of graffiti.
How can I assist in the cleanup of the City?
Call the Graffiti Hotline at (360) 342-5229 to report graffiti within the Battle Ground city limits. Always give the address/location of the graffiti, a brief description of the graffiti, and your name and telephone number so that City personnel can contact you if further information is needed.
How can I keep Battle Ground graffiti free?
- Remove graffiti from your property immediately
- Plant shrubs or vines in areas that have graffiti problems
- If you see graffiti vandalism in progress, call 9-1-1 and report it
- Report existing graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline (360) 342-5229
Graffiti is against the law
Graffiti vandalism is a misdemeanor and violators can be punished as outlined in the
Battle Ground Municipal Code.
Graffiti Control Program Volunteering
Volunteers are a very critical part of our effort to keep the city free of the blight caused by graffiti vandalism. You can participate as an individual or as part of a group to help paint out graffiti around the city. Special one-time volunteer graffiti removal projects can be arranged upon request. To make arrangements for a graffiti removal project, please contact Rob Charles at (360) 342-5070 or via e-mail at
For more information,
download our Graffiti Abatement Program brochure.
