City of Houston signs 5-Year agreement to remove graffiti
Mayor Annise Parker has announced an inter-local agreement between
The Greater East End Management District (GEEMD) and the City of Houston
to remove graffiti on city property throughout greater Houston.
As part of the agreement, GEEMD will provide labor and materials for
each graffiti removal project. Additionally, the GEEMD will track
gang-related tags and report activity to the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office.
“This is a huge step forward in the fight against those who blatantly
deface city property,” said Mayor Parker. “Through this agreement, we'll
reduce graffitti across the city while helping to decrease gang-related
activity.”
At a ceremony in Montie Beach Park, Mayor Parker and Council Member
Sue Lovell, Chair of the Development and Regulatory Affairs Council
Committee, also helped unveil one of four “Graffiti Mobiles” dedicated
to abating the graffiti, each decorated in photo images of the city’s
skyline.
"It just makes sense to employ local experts and resources to
systematically efface the blight in neighborhoods across the city," said
Council Member Lovell. "This is another great example of the partnership
between public and private entities that will allow us to achieve a
community goal and help the city save money."
GEEMD started its graffiti abatement program in 2001 in response to a
sharp rise in graffiti rates. Graffiti endangers neighborhoods and
vandalizes bus stops, commercial property and residences. It is the only
district currently abating graffiti, and handles other defacements for
various districts throughout the city.
Founded in 1999, The Greater East End Management District’s mission is
to enhance the image of the East End District, to attract more
businesses and to increase economic activity in the area.
