City of Winnipeg overwhelmed by graffiti removal requests
Posted May 3, 2023 6:18 pm.
Last Updated May 3, 2023 6:37 pm.
The arrival of spring in Winnipeg brings an often unwanted sight for many — graffiti on buildings across the city.
According to the City of Winnipeg, the number of requests for graffiti removal services has escalated compared to last year.
“There’s always in the springtime when we look our worst. In terms of litter, in terms of graffiti. So it takes a little bit of time to ramp things up when the snow finally melts,” explained Tom Ethans, executive director of Take Pride Winnipeg.
“Always this time of year, there’s a lot of graffiti on the streets and yeah, there is quite a bit out there this year, maybe more so than last.”
Between the months of January through April, the City of Winnipeg received 355 requests for graffiti removal services, more than triple the requests during that period last year.
“If it’s done on a painted surface, that’s easy to repaint. If it’s done on cement or brick, then we have to blast it off and that’s a little more difficult,” said Ethans.
A spokesperson from the City of Winnipeg attributes the increase to the extreme weather conditions experienced last year, including back-to-back snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures that extended into May.
Joe Kornelsen from the West End BIZ says although graffiti incidents have ‘leveled off’ in the past few years, it still impact business owners in the area.
“It makes an area look uncared for, and I can tell you from my experience with west-end business owners, they all care about the community in a massive way,” said Kornelsen.
Winnipeg police received 72 reports of graffiti incidents in 2022. However, that number is lower than a five-year high of 129 in 2021.
A spokesperson from the City of Winnipeg says the cost of removing graffiti from the streets is around $900,000 a year. And says, if anyone sees graffiti on public or private property, they should contact 311.
“There are places to do art and canvases to use. But when you’re doing it on people’s property, it does not look good,” said Ethans.
