FAQ

How does GraffitiBusters do this?

  • We do this by a three step process: Blitz: Buff: BUST:

    1. BLITZING: with the help of committed locals, we take an audit of an entire suburb.

    2. BUFFING: After blitzing we co-ordinate graffiti-vandalism removal with locals, volunteers, and paid workers. 

    3. BUSTING: We report the vandals, their vandalism, and footage of them vandalising to assist Police to apprehend. The completed area is then considered ‘Busted’ and on-going monitoring and touch-ups ensure the area always remains at least 99% vandalism free.

When does this occur?
  • A bust will only occur when a members of an area or suburb show interest in living in a vandalism free environment, and are willing to contribute to remediating their area. Suburb-wide busts take a few hours a week for the first month or two, then a few hours per year to maintain thereafter.
Where are the suburbs that have been finished?
  • GraffitiBusted suburbs are throughout NSW, ACT, and VIC (at least). Over 55 now. The exact locations are sometimes kept under wraps to ensure they are not targeted by retaliatory vandalism. The highest number of active suburbs are in ACT across all regions except Weston Creek (join us soon Weston Creek!).
Why do this?

  • We do this for reasons similar to those described in the “Broken Windows Theory”. This theory proposed by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, posits that if a neighbourhood permits visible signs of disorder and crime (like broken windows, litter, abandoned items and graffiti-vandalism) to go unchecked, this can signal neglect and the area may begin to experience a higher incidence of social disorder, higher crime rates, increasingly impactful forms of crime, social decay, community breakdown, decreased safety and increased social isolation and feelings of perceived unlawfulness.

    Regardless of the merits of this theory, the GraffitiBusters program is the equivalent of Clean Up Australia Day for litter; mowing your front lawn; reporting abandoned trolleys; and picking up after your dog: All things that contribute to a clean and tidy neighbourhood.

Doesn’t the government already do this/shouldn’t the government be doing this?
  • State Government and councils are responsible for removing graffiti-vandalism from public property only (rarely ever private property): and the vast majority of this graffiti-vandalism on public property is only removed after a report is made by a member of the public. 
  • A suburb can have 400 surfaces: 200 of them vandalised, and only 50 of them are usually public property. Government will not remove vandalism from these 50 public surfaces unless a report is made for each and every one of them. This is incredibly taxing on just one person trying to manage all of this on their own. And this doesn’t yet account for the other 150 non-public surfaces that need to be abated! Regardless, public providers help significantly towards this process and are a valued partner working in the community towards the GraffitiBusters aims. 
  • It’s important to note there are NO graffiti-free suburbs that haven’t had the GraffitiBusters treatment: only GraffitiBusted suburbs are 99% or more graffiti-free! And public services and their contractors have contributed to achieving this!
What’s the background?
I want my suburb Graffiti-Busted: who do I call?
  • If you are willing to contribute in any way to achieve a Graffiti-Busted suburb just Contact Us!
How do you decide what to remove and what to leave?
  • GraffitiBusters aren't involved in deciding what to remove, nor in the removal itself. We help coordinate removal only: it is the asset (or surface) owner who requests the removal, and them who decides to remove. Not GraffitiBusters!
So you are a free graffiti removal service then?
  • No! GraffitiBusters is not a free graffiti removal service! While we don't actually remove graffiti-vandalism ourselves, we can help co-ordinate graffiti removal from entire suburbs with help from willing locals and volunteers with a range of paid and DIY help. We may be able to assist you with low-cost and no-cost options if you are in need of assistance and have documentation like a pension or low-income card. Otherwise we can help you with advice and products: just ask!
I want my suburb busted but it's just me. How can I help if I’m on my own?
  • We love single-riders! GraffitiBusters have busted suburbs with just one Buster! It might take longer, but it's been successfully implemented in multiple suburbs now. You can choose to join another suburb nearby, or tackle your suburb with help from other GraffitiBusters. We will help coordinate other GraffitiBusters to triple any solo effort you put in: just to show you how one person really can contribute to making a difference. Contact us to get busting together with our help.
Why aim for over 99% Why not remove it all?
  • In reality, all graffiti-vandalism IS usually removed from GraffitiBusted suburbs. In a small number of situations, some asset owners can't remove it due to access restrictions or impending demolition. To reflect this we aim for removal rates of over 99% and in the vast majority of cases we achieve 100%.
I’m just a kid. How can I help?
  • We’ve got a special kids program where kids can assist with all but the heavy duty GraffitiBusting.
    This can include: (a) helping to log jobs particularly around schools and community centres (b) cleaning small surfaces and (c) understanding neighbourhood issues and getting digital proficiency through device and laptop reporting. You can even coordinate with your classmates or other school groups and potentially create a project that can count for credit towards your curriculum. This is particularly useful for programs like Duke of Edinburgh, Canberra Gold Awards, Citizen of the Year Awards, Australian of the Year Awards, Spirit of Canberra, or UC Canberra Award. Contact us and ask about GraffitiBusters:Mini for more information.
Why don’t you go fix the… (*insert any heavily vandalised area here*).
  • GraffitiBusters doesn’t take demands or requests without contributions. If you would like to see an area free of vandalism, feel free to contact us with details of how you can contribute and we can assist to co-ordinate. Otherwise we don’t take unsolicited requests/demands.
Why are you ruining all the art?
  • Only works that have been applied with consent of the asset owner are considered art. GraffitiBusters supports all consensual art pieces and we also contribute to new art work from artists with approved pieces that have been applied with consent from asset owners.
  • If you want to ensure a consented art work is protected, contact us with details of the consent given and the artist’s name and we can assist to ensure it is not affected and even added to local art trails and protective programs. 
I’m busy and can’t devote hours to this. How long does it take?
  • You are in complete control of how much time you spend contributing to your suburb. This might be an hour here & there or just five minutes of reporting. Whatever you can contribute will be useful and appreciated.
Why is the graffiti in the before/after pictures blurred out/censored?
  • An important part of reducing the spread of graffiti-vandalism is to ensure it is not published or communicated widely. To achieve this, all graffiti-vandalism is censored or blurred out before publication. This allows Busters and the community to see the achievement made without publishing the graffiti-vandalism.

 

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