Viewfinder: Decatur's Graffiti Spotters

It may look like art to some, but stopping graffiti "taggers," is the object of the game for the City of Decatur's Public Works department.

City of Decatur's graffiti spotters regularly hit the streets and remove "taggers" work. Within a week, the team - headed by Felix Floyd - often needs to return to the same spots to remove the work of these public menaces.

The team went out this week and removed lots of tags, which are graffiti signatures. Around Decatur, Floyd said he sees the same ones over and over.

In addition to removing graffiti tags, the City of Decatur also takes down illegal stickers from city signs, and signs from right of way areas, which are only allowed starting at 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday at midnight.

Also on the team this particular day, is Cynthia Hardnett, a codes enforcement officer, and Ben Rhodes of the city's public works department.

Just in the last week, several "taggers" hit the Agnes Scott College tunnel under College Avenue.

Floyd said tagging occurs most often during holidays and summertime.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 80 percent of all graffiti is considered “tagging.” Nationally, gang graffiti makes up only 10 percent of all tags.  

Immediate removal within 24 to 48 hours is key to prevention, according to the website Graffiti Hurts, which is a grassroots community education program run by the Keep America Beautiful.

"It's a constant battle," said Hardnett. "It's ongoing."

The City of Decatur adopted a stronger graffiti ordinance last year. The ordinance requires property owners to remove any outside graffiti within 15 days and any city-owned buildings within 24 hours.

Signs are also an issue. Signs that are put up too early or taken down too late will be removed by the city. During this trip, Hardnett hopped out several times to take down signs put up too early, including several for a granite and marble counter top sale this weekend on Laredo Drive.

But there's good news for the owners of the signs.

"We hold on to the signs," Hardnett said. "They are not disposed of immediately. People can call and claim their signs. We're resident friendly."

If anyone is curious about what the City of Decatur Public Works department does beyond graffiti and sign removal, the City of Decatur Public Works is opening its doors Thursday to residents for free guided tours of the facility.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the public can visit them at 2635 Talley Street, and meet the experts of City of Decatur's stormwater systems, green building efforts, trash bags and removal, and more.

"We'll give guided tours," Floyd said. "It's so people can see what we do. It's a day in the life of public works."

To report graffiti to the City of Decatur, email reportgraffiti@decaturga.com or call the Department of Public Works at 404-377-5571.