Port Coquitlam mayor launches program that removes graffiti on public property within 48 hours
The City of Port Coquitlam has launched a new service standard that guarantees graffiti and vandalism reported on public property will be removed within 24 to 48 hours.
Mayor Brad West announced today the graffiti removal guarantee as part of the municipal government’s broader efforts to keep public spaces clean, maintained, and welcoming.
Residents who notice graffiti or other vandalism on City-owned property are being encouraged to submit an online report to the municipal government, which will then dispatch crews to address the damage within the promised timeframe.
West said the initiative reflects the City’s view that the cleanliness and appearance of public spaces can influence civic pride and perceptions of community safety.
- You might also like:
- Port Coquitlam Terry Fox statue vandalized with 'unidentified substance'
- Vancouver graffiti alley gets a new name honouring late hero
- 'Incredibly saddened': Long-running B.C. sand sculpture competition damaged by vandals
- Over half of B.C. businesses say crime is worsening and are worried about safety
- Terry Fox International Airport? Vancouver mayoral candidate proposes YVR renaming
The City is attempting to prevent graffiti from remaining visible for prolonged periods, which can make neighbourhoods appear neglected and potentially encourage further vandalism.
The program complements the City’s existing range of cleanliness efforts. The City is asking residents to help identify affected locations by promptly reporting graffiti and vandalism when they encounter it.
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.
đź“Ť Report graffiti or vandalism on public property.
⏱️ We’ll remove it… pic.twitter.com/1kzzXKp2Gu— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) July 16, 2026
This rapid response policy for removing one of the most common types of vandalism closely aligns with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
The approach uses the design, appearance, and ongoing management of public spaces to discourage crime, reduce opportunities for disorder, and strengthen the public’s sense that an area is safe and actively cared for.
Timely maintenance is one of CPTED’s core principles, and graffiti removal is frequently identified as a practical way to apply it.
By removing markings within up to 48 hours, Port Coquitlam can prevent vandalism from becoming a prolonged and highly visible sign of neglect. It also communicates that public property is routinely monitored and that damage will be addressed rather than allowed to accumulate.
According to the City’s website, when graffiti is removed within 72 hours, it is less likely to reappear at the same location.
Private property owners will remain responsible for removing graffiti found on their surfaces. Port Coquitlam’s Community Policing is known to provide coupons to private property owners to access discounted paint and supplies through Sherwin-Williams Paints to help cover the cost of graffiti removal.
- You might also like:
- Port Coquitlam Terry Fox statue vandalized with 'unidentified substance'
- Vancouver graffiti alley gets a new name honouring late hero
- 'Incredibly saddened': Long-running B.C. sand sculpture competition damaged by vandals
- Over half of B.C. businesses say crime is worsening and are worried about safety
- Terry Fox International Airport? Vancouver mayoral candidate proposes YVR renaming