The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) is once again rolling out its summer graffiti removal program, offering a no-cost service to help clean up vandalized spaces around the city.
PCRC executive director Mari Kozar explains the long-running program gives residents an easy way to report graffiti and get it taken care of, whether it’s on their own property or not.
How the program works
“If you see graffiti, you can give us a call or you can e-mail and notify us,” says Kozar. “Our summer students will go out and either cover it up, paint over it or remove it, depending what kind of surface it's on.”
She adds that permission is always needed from the property owner before any work is done, but residents can still report graffiti they spot on someone else’s property. PCRC will follow up to get the necessary approvals before moving forward.
No cost to the community
Kozar notes the program is completely free for residents, with PCRC partnering with the City of Portage la Prairie and relying on summer students hired through the provincial Green Team funding stream.
The students are trained to use different techniques depending on the location and surface, including painting over graffiti or applying surface-appropriate removal products.
Fast removal reduces repeat tagging
Kozar continues, “We've seen it pretty steady over the past few years. There's lots of research on graffiti removal and the quicker you can get it removed or covered up, the less likely you are to have your property retagged.”
She says the PCRC has even helped clean up graffiti on local playgrounds, making sure not to damage any surfaces while removing paint.
Running through July and August
The program officially launches on June 30 and will run throughout July and August.
To report graffiti or request removal, residents can email graffiti@portagecrc.com or call the PCRC office at 204-240-7272.
- with files from Brittany Boschman and Mike Blume
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