WHEREAS, Graffiti is a continuing problem in the City of Philadelphia, causing harm to property owners and detracting from the quality of life in our neighborhoods, industrial and business districts, schools and transportation facilities; and
WHEREAS, Graffiti Web Services is a Geographic Information System which integrates data from the local government, schools and civic associations to help law enforcement personnel identify trends of graffiti violators and assist in their apprehension and conviction; and
WHEREAS, Graffiti Web Services assists government to view and summarize graffiti removal costs to report on and recoup these costs; and
WHEREAS, At least 17 jurisdictions have implemented Graffiti Web Services; and
WHEREAS, The City of Phoenix has achieved national recognition for its "Graffiti Busters" program, which uses Graffiti Web Services to detect violators and implement a zero tolerance policy towards graffiti; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That authority is given to the Committee on Technology and Information Services to conduct hearings on implementing a Geographic Information System to combat graffiti.
End