RAPID CITY, S.D. – Effective this spring, the City of Rapid City is taking an aggressive approach to reducing and removing graffiti in the community and they are seeking the public’s assistance in the reporting of graffiti on city-owned property, private property and public utilities.

City leaders say the markings deface public and private property, may contain obscene language or gestures, and are often part of gang-related activity.

The City is asking the public to report any graffiti they see on city-owned property using the ‘Report A Problem’ feature on the city’s public works page. The City’s goal is to have the graffiti removed within 24 hours of the report.

Graffiti removal would be done in many instances by the IGNITE team through the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office or Rapid City Public Works staff.

The Rapid City Parks Department will address graffiti issues involving parks-owned assets such as restrooms, playgrounds and picnic areas. Graffiti on private property can be reported to the City’s Code Enforcement Division, which will address incidences with property owners to have the graffiti removed, abated or removed by vendors hired by the city.  Graffiti on utility-owned infrastructure, such as utility boxes and railroad areas, will be referred to the appropriate utility.  Utilities will be given 10 days to remove the graffiti.