Rapid response policy aims to keep public spaces clean and discourage further vandalism
The City of Port Coquitlam has introduced a new service standard promising to remove graffiti and vandalism from City-owned public property within 24 to 48 hours of a report, Mayor Brad West announced. The policy is intended to maintain the appearance of public spaces, bolster civic pride and apply a practical element of crime prevention.
Residents who observe graffiti or other vandalism on municipal property are being asked to submit an online report so City crews can be dispatched to address the damage within the committed timeframe. The initiative expands on the municipality’s existing cleanliness and maintenance programs.
Policy framed as part of CPTED strategy
City officials linked the guaranteed removal standard to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a framework that uses design, appearance and active management of public spaces to discourage crime and disorder. One of CPTED’s core principles is timely maintenance: removing visible signs of neglect can reduce opportunities for repeat vandalism and signal that an area is monitored and cared for.
According to the announcement, the goal is to prevent graffiti from remaining visible for prolonged periods, which can contribute to an appearance of neglect and potentially invite further defacement. The City says the rapid-response policy complements ongoing efforts to keep parks, pathways and other public amenities welcoming and well maintained.
How residents can help
- Report graffiti and vandalism on City-owned property through the City of Port Coquitlam’s online reporting tool.
- Provide accurate location details and, if safe, photographs to help crews identify and assess damage.
- Allow City crews access and time to remove markings within the advertised 24–48 hour window.
“It can sometimes feel like cities have given up on cleaning up graffiti & vandalism. In Port Coquitlam, we are taking a different approach. Today, I’m proud to announce the PoCo Graffiti Removal Guarantee.” — Mayor Brad West (excerpt from social media announcement)
The new standard places emphasis on speed of removal rather than a zero-incidence expectation. It also formalizes a response window that residents can use to hold the municipality accountable for maintenance of public property. The approach mirrors practices in other jurisdictions that have adopted swift clean-up as a deterrent to repeat vandalism.
| Service | Response time |
|---|---|
| Graffiti/vandalism on City-owned public property | 24–48 hours |
Questions remain about operational details such as prioritization when multiple reports coincide, resource allocation during peak periods and whether the guarantee extends to privately owned but publicly accessible infrastructure. The City’s announcement asks residents to report incidents promptly to help crews identify affected locations and meet the stated service standard.
For Port Coquitlam residents, the change signals a municipal commitment to visible, routine maintenance of shared spaces and provides a clear expectation for how quickly reported vandalism will be addressed.
