Online tool pinpoints graffiti using GIS technology
Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Monday, August 11, 2014 at 10:20 a.m.
A new mobile graffiti tool launched today allows people to snap photos, attach them to an online complaint form, note the location on a map and report it to the City’s My Spokane customer service initiative – all from the convenience of a smart phone.
The tool, located on the My Spokane section of spokanecity.org, is part of the one-click, one-call initiative to quickly get citizens answers to their questions or direct them to the resources they need. Name, contact information and a description of the graffiti location is required to make a report. The information can also be loaded from a laptop or desktop computer. Paper forms are available by calling code enforcement at 509.625.6083.
“Graffiti is a criminal offense and creates an eyesore in our neighborhoods,” said Spokane Mayor David Condon. “We need the community’s help with reporting graffiti so it can be catalogued and removed.”
Graffiti cases will be assigned to a code enforcement officer for investigation and notice given to the parties responsible for removing it. The new tool provides the reporting party with a confirmation number that can be used to track the progress of the complaint by calling code enforcement.
Code enforcement worked with citizens to develop the tool, and relies on citizen reporting to open a case. It strives to resolve all cases within 30 days 80 percent of the time.
