Graffiti is a crime! Graffiti devalues property, invites crime, and gives an impression that a community is an unsafe and undesirable place to live and do business.

To stop graffiti in Hayward, the City is offering a reward of up to $500 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a graffiti vandal.

STOP-GRAFFITI Reward Hotline: 510.583.5500

Download REWARD POSTER

Useful information includes names and descriptions of graffiti vandals, their graffiti tags or markings, when and where the graffiti was done, and anything else that can help Police in making an arrest.

How does the Rewards Program work?

If the Hayward Police Department determines that your information was helpful in leading to an arrest and conviction in a graffiti case, you will be eligible for the reward. The case you provide information on must be within the police jurisdiction of the City of Hayward. The reward for one prosecuted case will not exceed $500, regardless of the number of suspects involved.

How do I make a request to be considered for a reward?

Call the “Stop Graffiti” Rewards Hotline at 510.583.5500 and leave your name, phone number and a good time to call back. In a brief message please tell us what information you have about a graffiti vandal, or tell us how you have been involved in the arrest of a graffiti vandal. If you are telling us about an arrest you already reported to the police, we will need to know where the graffiti occurred, and the date and time of the incident. A representative of the Police Department will call you back to complete your rewards application.

Can I remain anonymous?

You can remain anonymous when providing information to the police, however to put in an application for the Stop Graffiti Reward, we will need your name and phone number. All information provided on the Stop Graffiti Rewards Hotline is secure and not shared with persons outside the police department.

How will I know when my case is over (the suspect has been convicted) so I may pick up the reward?

The Hayward Police Department has staff dedicated to this program who track all Graffiti Reward applications. When your case is concluded a representative of the police department will call you and let you know when and where you can pick up your reward check. We will also inform you if the information you provided did not lead to the arrest and / or conviction of the graffiti vandal.

Graffiti Abatement

Graffiti is a serious problem in the City of Hayward. Consequently the City has developed strategies for countering this form of vandalism. The City encourages its citizens and businesses to report and counteract graffiti vandals as rapidly as possible to discourage them and to eradicate their vandalism.

Hayward Municipal Code Section 3-11.03 – “It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or is otherwise in control of any real property within the City limits to permit or allow any graffiti to be placed upon or remain upon any surface located on such property and visible to the public for longer than 48 hours.” This means that property owners and/or tenants are responsible for the removal of any graffiti on their property. Graffiti must be completely covered with a paint that is similar in shade and color to the surface upon which the graffiti is placed.

To report new graffiti vandalism in the City, submit a Service Request below. Be sure to have an accurate address or location description prior to making your report. You may attach a photograph to your report to illustrate the location and nature of the graffiti.

The City offers some direct support for citizens and businesses to help counteract graffiti. For example, the City owns and operates the Graffiti Buster Vehicle and offers graffiti abatement services - on a one-time courtesy basis for:

• retail and commercial businesses, and
• residential fences and retaining walls that abut the public sidewalk.

City staff also removes graffiti from municipal property, pedestrian and vehicular overpasses, BART columns, sidewalks, traffic control boxes, fire hydrants, water testing stations, and the Amtrak Station. The City appreciates citizen reports of graffiti vandalism as soon as it occurs so prompt action can be taken.