The Prince Albert Police Service is asking the public to proactively report gang-related graffiti, known as tagging, in the city.
The public is asked to report properties or locations that have graffiti by calling the police non-emergency line (306-953-4222 option 2) or the online report a crime option on www.papolice.ca. File number 18-18554 –graffiti has been created to track graffiti activity in the city, and can be referenced when a police report is filed. Residents wanting to remove graffiti can access the city’s anti-graffiti paint program. To do so, go the community services department on the second floor of City hall to fill out and application to receive a free paint kit to be sued for removing graffiti.
According to a police press release sent out Tuesday, the most effective way to prevent graffiti from reoccurring is to remove it promptly within 24-48 hours.
“There has been a increased trend in the last month of noticeable graffiti defacing public and residential property,” said police spokesperson Alanna Adamko in an emailed response to questions.
“The Prince Albert Police Service is asking residents to take steps to report and where possible remove the graffiti.”
She said tagging becomes an issue as graffiti is often used to mark gang territory “and promote certain gangs within the city.
“To deter this criminal element we must work together to remove the tags.”
Some of the common tags seen around Prince Albert are “TS” and “2019”, in various combinations. Those are the tags of Terror Squad, one of the more prevalent street gangs operating in Prince Albert.
