GRAFFITI TAKES A HIT FROM NEW REMOVAL METHOD

Graffiti is a crime that leads to other criminal activity such as
prostitution and drug deals, said a local police officer on hand to witness
a new method of removing graffiti.

"Graffiti vandalism is linked to collateral crime as it is often associated
with consumption of drugs and alcohol by the youth (applying the graffiti).
And other crimes are occurring around the graffiti, such as drug dealing
and prostitution," Staff Sergeant Heinz Kuck told the Town Crier.

He was one of a handful of police officers, who along with local councillor
Karen Stintz, came to see a new technique in graffiti removal tested out
first-hand at a local bar.

Mario Rios, from the company Dr. Graffiti, demonstrated the technique,
which includes a water-based non-toxic spray called "Graffiti Buster" (the
ingredients are a carefully guarded secret) and a high-powered hose that
completely eliminates the graffiti in a matter of minutes.

Rios went to work on a wall littered with graffiti at Shoeless Joe's bar at
Eglinton Ave. West and Oriole Parkway

The Montreal-based company was in Toronto to demonstrate its technique in
the hopes the city would buy its fast-paced method.

How it works is someone applies the spray, waits two minutes and then uses
a high-powered hose to spray water heated to 360 F. If there is any
graffiti left, the process is repeated. If this is not successful, a
stronger chemical "Graffiti Amigo" is used followed by water, explained
Hector Benitez, director of Dr. Graffiti.

"We can remove anything at all -- any kind of paint," he said.

In the end, the demo was successful in removing the graffiti. Currently,
Dr. Graffiti has clients across North America. "If we get a contract with
the city (Toronto) it would be nice," said Benitez.

The cost of the product is $85 a gallon and anyone can apply it. The
company also sells a "graffiti guard" spray that is applied to a
graffiti-free surface. If graffiti is applied at any point afterwards, it
can be removed with a simple garden hose and water, said Benitez.

Councillor Stintz said this method is another option to what the city does
now, which is paint over graffiti. She wasn't sure if the city would sign
on for the product.

Currently she is working with the Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre, police
from 32 Division and students from Lorreto Abbey school to paint murals
over graffiti-covered walls located in the area.

Last year she did a graffiti audit to identify where graffiti is in the
ward and she plans to do one again in April.

Call Stintz's office at 416-392-4090 to find out more about what is being
done to eradicate graffiti in the community.