Community Safety Initiatives

What is graffiti?

Graffiti means any drawing, inscription, writing, or other mark that disfigures or defaces any building, accessory building, fence or other structure, however made, or otherwise affixed.

How to prevent Graffiti?

The most effective way to prevent Graffiti is to remove it promptly. Studies show that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of re-occurrence.

The 2019 Anti-Graffiti Paint Program encourages citizens to help reduce graffiti vandalism by REPORTING IT, RECORDING IT and/or REMOVING IT.

Homeowners, business owners and private owned facilities can apply to the City of Meadow Lake to receive one FREE Paint Kit (one gallon of paint, plastic gloves, one tray and one brush/roller) allowing the individual to paint over the graffiti located on exterior surfaces of their private property.

Please note: Painting over graffiti can only be undertaken on your own personal property. Residents are not permitted to paint over graffiti on a neighboring property, public bench or community facilities. Proof of the address of the applicant will be required, for example a tax notice, when applying for the program. If you are a renter of the home, you may apply for the Paint Kit but you are responsible as the applicant for obtaining permission from the property owner to undertake the work.

To apply for your one (1) FREE Paint Kit, please visit the City of Meadow Lake Bylaw Department to fill out the Anti-Graffiti Paint Program application form.

• Program is available for as long as weather permits. Application received when temperatures are less than 0 degrees Celsius will not be considered.
• Home owners and/or businesses are eligible for only 1 Paint Kit per application and /or incident as part of the 2019 Anti-Graffiti Paint Program.

NOTE: The 2019 Anti-Graffiti Paint Program does not include costs to sandblast or remove graffiti in alternative manners and the Anti-Graffiti Paint Program is not retroactive. Each applicant will have a maximum of 30 days to complete their work, after which time, a follow-up inspection will be done by the Bylaw Department to ensure work was done to City’s standards.

Anti-Graffiti Paint Program Application Form

When a RCMP detachment becomes aware of an incident or crime, they can issue an advisory via the system, and anyone who has signed up for the program will become aware of what happened within minutes! The system will send the advisory to your smartphone or landline, via text message, email, or text to voice (depending on your own preference).

Visit www.saskcrimewatch.ca to sign up!

The concept of the program is simple: sign up to receive advisories from your local RCMP and assist us by serving as the ‘eyes and ears’ of your community.

We encourage anyone and EVERYONE to join the network – residents, corporations and organizations could all benefit from receiving these advisories. You do not need to be part of an existing crime prevention group to sign up. EVERYONE should sign up for this system, including those people who are already part of a group.

On any block and in any neighbourhood, it only takes one house that is harbouring illegal activities to undermine the safety of all residents of that community and affect the property values throughout that neighbourhood.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act is intended to empower residents to take back their neighbourhoods by reporting problem residences or businesses that are habitually used for illegal activities. These activities could include drugs, prostitution, gang or criminal activities, child sexual abuse or the unlawful sale or consumption of alcohol.

Visit the Saskatchewan website for more information on how to spot signs of illegal activity and reporting to Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods.