New Trier High School, located in Chicago's suburbs, was hit with three instances of racist graffiti.  The racist  graffiti appeared in the bathrooms in two different school buildings.  The graffiti tagger in one building was identified.  The graffiti tagger in the second building is being sought.  Consequences for graffiti or harassment include detention or an all-day detention.

Graffiti in school bathrooms is common as the privacy allows for graffiti taggers to use permanent sharpie markers to graffiti tag bathroom partitions.  Additionally, identifying the tagger can be a challenge as cameras are not permitted in bathrooms. 

It is essential that graffiti tagging be removed as quickly as possible to discourage copy-cat graffiti and to discourage the graffiti tagger from additional graffiti tags.  A safe, effective, no-odor graffiti remover that is safe to use on plastic and metal should be readily available.

How to remove Graffiti from School Bathroom Partitions, School Bathroom Doors and School Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.

Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from School Bathroom Partitions, School Bathroom Doors, and School Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.

Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.
  
Notes:  When removing graffiti from a plastic substrate, always test first in an inconspicuous location.  Clean ​City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover and Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover have been tested against many types of plastic Bathroom Partitions, Bathroom Doors, and Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.  No fogging or etching damage has been documented, but due to the hundreds of different types of plastics used, testing is essential.

A 21 year old University of Delaware student was arrested for 82 charges related to graffiti crimes.  The charges include 38 counts of graffiti and 37 counts of graffiti implements.  His graffiti tagging spree has lasted approximately 6 months on campus and in Newark.  Graffiti tags were spray painted onto brick buildings, plastic garbage dumpsters and plastic porta-potties.

The suspect was brought to justice after a police investigation that includes surveillance camera footage, information provided by witnesses, and police vigilance.  Active policing and enforcement directly results in decreased instances of graffiti.  Also, widespread publicity around the arrest of a well-known and prolific graffiti tagger can have a chilling deterrent effect on other graffiti taggers in the community.
  
The cost of graffiti to communities is significant.  The appearance of blight drives down commerce and drives up the cost of graffiti removal.  Cities are forced to reallocate dollars for improvements to graffiti abatement.

It is an essential graffiti removal best practice that graffiti be removed as quickly as possible after a graffiti attack.  

​Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Rough Surfaces
​STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION BEST PRACTICES for Removing Graffiti from Concrete, Brick using Clean City Pro Heavy Duty Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover.
1.  City Pro Heavy Duty Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover is for use on non-sensitive surfaces such as brick concrete, stone and other difficult surfaces.  If using on sensitive surfaces, always test in inconspicuous area before use.
2.  Use chemical resistant gloves & goggles.
3.  Spray or brush graffiti remover onto affected area.  (Ready-to-use. No dilution necessary)
4.  Control drips using nylon or wire brush 
5.  Allow dwell time from 10 to 20 minutes (longer in cold temps)
6.  Warmer temperatures, hot water, and agitation with wire brush increase effectiveness 
7.  Rinse with pressure washer using even, slow passes.  Use 15° fan tip or wider.
8.  Repeat if necessary.

​Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Plastic garbage Toters.
Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Plastic Garbage Toters.
Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.

Step-bystep instructions for how to remove Graffiti from Bathrooms and Portable Toilets.
Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Bathrooms and Portable Toilets
Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.

For more information, check out our Best Practices in Graffiti Removal page, our Graffiti Removal Selection page or our Tips and Techniques for Graffiti Removal page.

Powerfully offensive racist graffiti vandalized Eastern Michigan University three times, in proximity to a monument to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  The racist graffiti caused outrage and sparked protests.  A 29-year old former student was arrested for the graffiti attack.  There was shock and surprise when the vandal of the anti-black hate vandalism was himself a black man.  The FBI, state law enforcement, and campus police deserve praise for their efforts to identify  and arrest the vandal.  Over 1,000 hours were devoted to the investigation.  Additional lighting and security cameras are a best practice to deter graffiti, and will be installed.

For exterior graffiti on brick and concrete, Clean City Pro Blue Gel Graffiti Remover or SoSafe Blue Gel Graffiti Remover are ideal safe, effective graffiti removers.  For interior graffiti removal from university or school bathrooms, Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover or SoSafe Green Graffiti Remover are ideal safe, effective graffiti removers.  For detailed, step-by-step graffiti removal tips and techniques, check out www.cleancitypro.com