WHEREAS the current level of response by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority BC Hydro and TELUS to the increasing and unsightly graffiti on their utility kiosks is unacceptable; AND WHEREAS research shows that the most effective method of deterring graffiti is quick and consistent removal: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities recommend the provincial government encourage utilities and federal and provincial crown corporations to accept their corporate social responsibility and establish province-wide graffiti clean up programs in consultation with local governments.
Ministry of Energy and Mines Graffiti is a crime, and BC Hydro is interested in participating or supporting community education on the harm that graffiti causes. BC Hydro would be willing to contribute to any community-based graffiti removal programs in line with what other communities are successfully doing. In view of the expense, BC Hydro cannot remove all graffiti. BC Hydros annual budget for graffiti removal across the province is 100,000. It is estimated that BC Hydro does not have the budget to support the hiring of a commercial contractor to remove graffiti on an on-going basis. To get this budget requires the inclusion of this cost into BC Hydro rates and approval of the BC Utilities Commission. However, BC Hydro removes graffiti that is socially offensive, such as obscenities and religious or racial slurs. BC Hydro also removes graffiti that is in a sensitive location, such as schools, community centers or churches. BC Hydro is testing a new product called Graffiti Block. Graffiti Block promotes itself as extremely durable water based anti graffiti product that will permanently eliminate unwanted graffiti without sacrificing the integrity of the surface. Graffiti washes off the treated surface with water. The product is environmentally safe. BC Hydro began testing Graffiti Block in May 2008 on existing BC Hydro structures around the Edmonds area of Burnaby and in the downtown Vancouver core. Graffiti does not affect the reliability or safety of the electrical system and is removed as part of BC Hydros efforts to ensure BC Hydro is responsive to customer and community concerns.
BC HYDRO BC Hydro shares your concern about the proliferation of graffiti and would be pleased to work with all interested parties to find cost-effective ways to reduce or eliminate it. We have an annual budget of approximately 100,000 to remove graffiti from our infrastructure. Our priority is to remove the most socially offensive, such as obscenities, racial or religious slurs - located near high profile or sensitive areas like school, community centres and houses of prayer. We also have numerous Graffiti Removal Agreements with local communities. In addition, BC Hydro is testing a new environmentally-safe product that is painted onto the surface material, allowing graffiti to be washed off the treated surface with water.