Did you know the best defense against graffiti is prompt clean up?  Taggers do not get satisfaction when their work is painted over or removed.  Remember tagging is a crime.  If you witness graffiti in progress, call 9-1-1.

If the graffiti is on private property, it is the owner's responsiblity to clean up the tagging.  

Graffiti kits available:  See tagging on City property and want to help?  Have a problem with graffiti in your neighborhood?  The Public Works Department provides graffiti removal kits free of charge to recognized Neighborhood Associations & Block Watch neighborhoods.  To request a kit, call (360) 753-8588, or email Public Works.  If emailing, be sure to include the Neighborhood Association or Block Watch group you are representing, your name and contact information.

Make your own graffiti kit:  If you are not part of a Neighborhood Association or Block Watch group but you still want to help clean up graffiti, learn how to make your own graffiti kit.

Don't damage property by mistake: 

• Traffic Signs: Do not remove graffiti from the front of traffic signs (stop, speed limit, etc.) as it destroys the reflective material.  If you have graffiti on a traffic sign, please call Public Works at (360) 753-8588.
• Do not power wash historical buildings.
• Sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.  Options to remove graffiti from sidewalks include, using the GrafLite cleaner included in bucket, or power (pressure) wash the sidewalk.
• Pervious sidewalks:  To remove graffiti from pervious sidewalks, do not use chemicals, just pressure wash.  Do not paint pervious concrete to cover graffiti, as the paint will clog the pores in the concrete.
• Pacific Disposal Carts:  If you have a garbage cart from Pacific Disposal please contact them if you have graffiti on your cart.  Their number is (360) 923-0111.

Contacts for tagging on public property:  The following resources are availabe for tagging on public property. 

• For downtown businesses, call the ODA (Olympia Downtown Association) at (360) 357-8948.
• For signs, City property, garbage/recycle cans, call Public Works at (360) 753-8588. 
• For City parks, call Parks, Arts, and Recreation, at (360) 753-8380. 
• For state buildings, bridges, or parks (Heritage, Marathon, and Sylvester), call (360) 725-0000. 
• For power boxes, call Puget Sound Energy at (888) 225-5773. 

You can help by reporting suspicious activity: It can be difficult to successfully prosecute a graffiti case unless someone actually witnesses the crime in progress.  This truly is a crime that the public can help fight by keeping neighborhoods free of graffiti and reporting suspicious activity.

• Taking pictures helps: If you can take pictures of graffiti before it is removed, this will assist the Olympia Police Department. This also helps us gather information about any possible gang activity in the area.  You can just email us the pictures.  Please be sure to include the location of the tagging and the date the pictures were taken.
• Need a police report?  If you need a police report, call (360) 704-2740 (non-emergency dispatch).  Graffiti is also addressed under the International Property Maintenance Code as administered by Code Enforcement.  Code Enforcement holds the property owner responsible for restoring the surface to a state of repair.  For more information, call (360) 753-8487.  Please have an exact address when calling.

Contact Public Works:  

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A 
• Mailing Address:  PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967
• Download printer-friendly (PDF) directions to our office
• Hours:  Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays
• Phone: (360) 753-8588
• TTY:    (360) 753-8270 
• Email:  Public Works

Contact Police Department:

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967
• Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays
• Phone (business line): (360)753-8300
• Email: Olympia Police