Graffiti is a cause of disagreement among residents of Portland, Oregon.[1] Residents can report graffiti and request removal.[2] In 2023, a poll conducted by The Oregonian showed 61 percent of Portland voters considered graffiti a "big" problem.[3]
The city saw a rise in graffiti during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]
Removal efforts
The graffiti increase during the pandemic prompted city council to strengthen removal efforts.[6][7] In late 2022, the city hired Graffiti Removal Services to create "preventative graffiti".[2] Police have also arrested major offenders.[8][9]
In 2021, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) hired River City Environmental to remove graffiti along three highways.[10][11] As of 2022, the local company Portland Graffiti Removal removed graffiti for ODOT.[12][13] ODOT's $2 million in funding ran out in 2023.[14][15]
The city requires building owners to remove graffiti within 10 days or risk a fine.[16] In practice, the code is not being enforced against property owners.[17]
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