The Municipality of Wood Buffalo has launched new graffiti initiatives in order to eliminate this problem in the local community. The first initiative is an anti-graffiti symposium called TAGS, in order to spread awareness of this problem and provide effective techniques to prevent graffiti. The symposium will be held on February 18. The second initiative is to open the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program to private businesses in the community. According to the community strategies coordinator for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alanna Bottrell, “We’re hoping to get that conversation started and inspire people into action. We need to educate people. We’re going to try our best to make sure the community knows everything we can do to help.” Graffiti is a growing problem, and efforts to fight it can be highly effective.
The latest graffiti initiatives by the Municipality of Wood Buffalo were inspired by the national TAGS conference, which staff attended last year. Bottrell said “They had a lot of take away from it, so they decided to bring it to Fort McMurray, they thought there could be a lot of benefit from it. We’re just inviting everybody, anyone, to come out.” Awareness is a big par of the solution to graffiti in local communities. Bottrell explained that “If they report it, we can help them. The reporting helps build a case against a vandal once they’re caught, and helps Parks know what needs to be cleaned.” RCMP Cpl George Cameron said the department will also participate, saying “They’re going to have some guest speakers in, we’re going to be there to answer any questions about graffiti and the RCMP.”