Graffiti and Vandalism

Graffiti is not just words and symbols sprayed on various surfaces. Graffiti is an act of vandalism that costs the City of Westmount thousands of dollars to clean up every year.

If not immediately removed, graffiti can send the message that “nobody cares”. It can also cause areas to look unsafe, as well as create an open invitation for other graffiti.

Individuals involved in drawing graffiti refer to themselves as “taggers”. They gain status from other taggers by painting their distinctive “tags” in as many places as possible.

What is scratchitti?

Scratchitti is the term that has been coined to describe the form of graffiti that is made by etching or carving “tags” on surfaces, instead of using marker ink or spray paint. Most commonly, scratchitti is found on glass, plexiglass, vinyl and metal surfaces.

Minimizing graffiti on your business or home property begins with keeping the property clean and well maintained. Fencing, increased lighting, and motion sensor lighting all contribute to reducing crime, including graffiti. Additionally:

• On exposed walls, use clinging vegetation, like ivy, to eliminate large writing surfaces;
• Consider painting building surfaces in dark colours, or applying a protective anti-graffiti coating;
• Have a neighbourhood meeting to discuss solutions. Adopt a street, park, school, church, or business that is a target for graffiti. Involve young people in the cleanup.

To report incidents of graffiti on public or private property in Westmount, please fill in the online form below in the page.

Public Safety Department

21 Stanton Street
Westmount, Quebec  H3Y 3B1

Telephone: 514 989-5222

The City offers a free year-round graffiti removal service.

• If your property has been tagged with graffiti, rapid removal, notably within 24 to 48 hours, will reduce the chance of being “tagged” again.
• If you opt to avail yourself of the City’s free year-round graffiti removal service, you should fill out the Graffiti Removal Online Form, as soon as possible.
• Alternatively, you may choose to remove the graffiti on your own, in which case you will first have to determine the porosity of the surface in your selection of cleaning agents.

In determining the porosity of the surface you wish to clean, keep in mind that masonry surfaces and wood are the most porous, while painted metal, glass and vinyl surfaces are the least porous.

• For very porous surfaces the cleaning agent should be allowed to sink into the surface and be agitated with a steel or wire brush, while sinking in.
• For less porous surfaces, the cleaning agent may not be allowed to soak in and should therefore be removed with a cloth, so as not to damage the existing finish.

There are several different products available that can be used on their own or with a power washer. Be sure to research the product to ensure that it is suitable for the intended application.

When painting over graffiti, be sure to obtain the right type of paint for the location and type of surface you are painting.

Once new paint is on, you might consider using a “sealer” or “protectant”. These types of products seal the small surface pores and prevent graffiti’s ability to adhere. Also, once sealed, new graffiti is less work to remove.

Types of surfaces and how to clean them:

When using solvents, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to test a small area first.