City of Oceanside Employs Anti-Graffiti Measures

Coating that repels unwanted paint has been applied to parts of the Pier View undercrossing. By Daniel Woolfolk

Taggers striking the Pier View undercrossing in Oceanside might see their spray paint drip before they are finished defacing the concrete walls.

Some pedestrian facility’s surfaces have been treated — as late as this fall — with urethane that doesn’t allow paint to soak into the concrete walls.

Oftentimes, pressurized water or a solvent will remove unwanted paint and marker residue.

“It doesn’t really stick, so it’s a lot easier for us to wipe off,” said Kiel Koger, Oceanside’s public works division manager. “It’s way cheaper than to go wipe it down with a cleaner and a rag.”

The city has already applied it to various walls and signs around Oceanside, but at about $1 a square foot, Koger said, he’s got to be selective. “Tagging and vandalism occurs all the time (at the undercrossing). It’s such a prime spot for taggers."

“It really only makes sense to put it in areas that are constantly getting tagged,” he said, adding that the Pier View undercrossing gets hit almost daily.

Wiping away a tagged area one December day for a demonstration was Spencer Ford, of Infinite Coatings, the company that sold the city the product.

Ford, a long time Oceanside resident, demonstrated the product one December morning.

"I've lived in this area for 30 years," he said as he wiped graffiti with a rubber glove, a rag and some citrus solution. "I feel protective of this area.”

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