So long, farewell to graffiti, thanks to a new initiative from Communities in Bloom

A new initiative is on the go in Whitecourt. Aimed at getting graffiti off the many buildings, signs, and
infrastructure that feature it, the Whitecourt Communities in Bloom Tagging and Graffiti Removal
Initiative is available for local businesses and residents to access products nearly guaranteed to remove
unsightly and unwanted art.
Graffiti remains an issue for area businesses. From the more recent bright, neon green squiggles
defacing the Canadian Tire sign pillars to the many random or affiliated pieces on buildings throughout
the community, graffiti is an issue most can agree is a problem, and it’s not just Whitecourt either.
The City of Edmonton has received more complaints this year than last year. In January, they received 81
graffiti complaints, up from the 34 they received in January 2022. They received 143 complaints in
February, up 155 percent from the previous year. In Edmonton, property owners have a specific timeline
to remove graffiti or face a fine. One program in place offers up to $750 of professional graffiti-cleaning
support to affected property owners. Some owners have switched from constant cleaning to putting up
murals since artists typically respect other artists and refrain from tagging art. The issue of graffiti is far
spread, and many municipalities are trying to figure out how best to combat the problem.
After researching what other communities do and testing out various products, the Communities in
Bloom Committee members settled on a product called The World’s Best Graffiti Removal System. With
some elbow grease, the system removes graffiti from bare brick, stone, masonry and nearly every other
type of material.
At a recent Whitecourt Town Council meeting, Council received an update on the program, which
included pictures that showed the product in action. One Bloom committee member had graffiti just
outside her home on an electrical box, a perfect test subject for the system to see how it would work.
Pictures provided in the public package showed the steps of each product in the system, ending in the
preferred final result, a graffiti-free electrical box.
The Communities in Bloom Committee provides the system in a kit format, which features everything
needed in a bucket (solution, goggles, gloves, paintbrush and scrubber) at a subsidized rate. The group
purchased 100 Citizen’s Kits for $30 a piece and will sell them for $20. Councillor Derek Schlosser asked
why they decided to do a lowered cost. Chelsea Grande, Director of Community Services, explained that
it was meant to boost the program. “With the amount of tagging and graffiti in town, they just really
wanted to promote it.”
Grande explained that the product, The World’s Best Graffiti Removal System, works as the name
suggests. “It works really well. They have two kits, one for sensitive surfaces and one for bare brick,
stone, and masonry. They also tried the brick one, and it worked well.” The sensitive surfaces kit is for
painted surfaces or those with a coating that must remain. The product’s ability to remove graffiti was
also a pleasant surprise for Town staff. “It’s better than the one we have for the Town’s usage right
now,” added Grande. She said they would likely be purchasing the product in the future.
Depending on the program’s success, the Communities in Bloom Committee could bring in more kits for
the next budget or change the subsidy offered. Businesses or residents that take part and pick up a kit

will be asked to submit before and after pictures. The successes and challenges of the initiative will be
tracked for any necessary changes or updates. One thing’s for sure, depending on the amount of graffiti,
it’s likely cheaper to purchase a kit and remove it than to paint over top.
Residents and business owners interested in getting their hands on a kit can do so by visiting the Allan &
Jean Millar Centre during business hours and inquiring at the front desk. The Communities in Bloom
Committee is also in the beginner stages of creating a mural project in the community and already has a
completed mural up at the FIC. Anyone wishing to contact the Communities in Bloom Committee about
the mural project, or any other reason can do so through their Facebook page, “Whitecourt
Communities in Bloom.”