The City of Trail will look into co-ordinating a program to combat graffiti on private property.
It follows a motion passed last week by city council at the request of councillor Nick Cashol, who has suggested a voluntary program that lets a third party help property owners whose buildings have been tagged.
Cashol said he spoke to the Trail Against Graffiti team, which focuses on city-owned or public property, and learned a group of volunteers is ready to help the local business community with the initiative, but someone will have to organize it. Cashol suggested the city take on that role.
Corporate services director David Moorhead said one concern the city will have to address is the Community Charter’s ban against municipalities providing direct assistances to businesses. For example, they will have to be careful with buying paint if it’s for a single building, he said.
However, he said there are examples of similar programs around the province and they could ask local hardware stores if they are willing to provide free supplies.
“Or there are other options: partnering with downtown agencies that are representative of all businesses as much as possible,” Moorhead said. “So trying to stay within the legislative requirements, but moving this forward.”
Moorhead said staff will determine both what the program might look like and how to ease the city’s administrative burden.
