New Graffiti Removal Efforts Strengthening Public Safety, Improving Properties

New Graffiti Removal Efforts Strengthening Public Safety, Improving Properties

9/11/2025

Downtown Graffiti Removal Program Making an Impact; Two New Graffiti Positions Helping Clear Tulsa Rights-of-Way Citywide

As part of efforts to improve safety, protect property values and ensure Tulsa remains clean and welcoming, new graffiti programs and personnel are making a significant impact across the city.

First, a new Downtown Graffiti Removal Program is now underway thanks to a $250,000 graffiti removal grant from the Department of Justice given to the Tulsa Police Department.

Thanks to the grant, graffiti removal contractors have removed graffiti from more than 40 properties, with more than 100 more identified for removal in the coming months. Program operations will continue to ramp up throughout the year. The program is expected to continue at least through September of 2026.

"This program is more than just cleaning walls - it's about restoring pride in the heart of our city," Mayor Nichols said. "When our buildings and public spaces are well cared for, it sends a clear message that Tulsa is a place where people want to live, work, and invest. By working together to remove graffiti from our streets, we're ensuring our city lives up to the expectations of our residents, visitors and property owners."

The Downtown Graffiti Removal Program is led by the City's Code Enforcement division in collaboration with TPD and the Downtown Tulsa Partnership. Contractors are responsible for graffiti removal, with crews working to address graffiti across buildings, signs and public infrastructure.

"Graffiti on traffic signs, public infrastructure, and roadways isn't just an eyesore - it's a public safety issue, Council Chair Phil Lakin, Jr., said. "This grant allows us to take meaningful action against graffiti vandalism in our community, restore public spaces, and protect investments made by our local businesses. I'm grateful for our City employees, Downtown Tulsa Partnership, and ODOT for prioritizing this issue to ensure our city remains vibrant, attractive, and safe for all Tulsans."

Downtown progress is documented with before-and-after photos to highlight the impact of these efforts: View Online

Graffiti removal is a community-wide effort that requires coordination between property owners, the Public Works department and law enforcement. Quick removal is key, as it prevents further vandalism, helps maintain property values and discourages additional criminal activity.

"Our community celebrates creativity and art through world-class murals and authorized graffiti projects," said Brian Kurtz, President & CEO of Downtown Tulsa Partnership. "Unfortunately, the same cans of paint can be used in ways that disregard private property and create visual nuisances. We appreciate the proactive work of the Tulsa Police Department and the support of Mayor Nichols and Tulsa City Council to swiftly remove illegal tags and graffiti from private property. At the same time, we want to channel this same creative energy in positive directions by supporting more authorized murals that give artists opportunities to create work the entire community can enjoy."

Downtown crews routinely monitor known "hot spots" while also responding to new reports from Code Enforcement.

Additional Graffiti Removal Efforts
The Downtown Graffiti Removal Program is not the only way the City removes graffiti in Tulsa. The program compliments the work of the City's regular graffiti removal teams who work to remove graffiti from City-owned property and rights-of-way. These teams work throughout the year to address graffiti as it occurs.

This year, the Tulsa City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which allocated an additional $100,000 for FY26 and $150,000 for FY27 for graffiti removal. With this additional funding, the City has two new graffiti positions and is acquiring a new trailer equipped with a paint matching system and other equipment needed for graffiti removal efforts.

The teams responsible for graffiti removal can cover between 4,000 to 10,000 square feet of graffiti each week.

To expand the City's efforts to clean up more spaces, the Public Works department is in the process of entering in a memorandum of understanding with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). When complete, this agreement will allow the City to remove graffiti from some ODOT properties throughout Tulsa.

While the City cannot address graffiti on private properties citywide, citizens can report graffiti by calling the Customer Care Center at 311, filing a service request at tulsa311.com, emailing [email protected], or reporting it through the Tulsa 311 app.

Additional resources for cleaning and tag removal on public realm assets are also offered by the Downtown Tulsa Partnership, which manages operations in Downtown Tulsa. Those available resources can be found online at: www.downtowntulsa.com/service-request