Hopefully spring has sprung, and with it comes the annual spring cleaning initiative put forth by the town, starting on May 2.
The Community Standards Bylaw was passed last year, and within it is a clause allowing Drumheller Community Enforcement to issue citations to property owners to remove unsightly graffiti within a two week window. Prior to 2010, there was no graffiti bylaw within the policies of the town.
Supervisor of Community Enforcement Darcy Nundahl says residents can expect the vandalism in various parts of town to be removed in the near future. Community Enforcement updated council on plans at Monday’s council meeting.
“It’s going to be dealt with,” said Nundahl.
“We do understand that it’s not their fault their buildings are being vandalized, and we try to work with them to remove the problem,” said Nundahl. “When owners leave it, I believe it encourages more of that type of activity to happen.”
Although Nundahl says it’s unrealistic to prevent people from creating graffiti, he encourages residents to report this type of activity to Community Enforcement, and to take initiative to clean up the vandalism on their own.
“Now that we have warmer weather it’s easier for owners to take care of it, and with spring cleanup, we are encouraging people to take initiative and utilize the service,” said Nundahl.
Spring cleanup is a free service undertaken by the town, where a free garbage and junk pickup is offered to residents from May 2 until May 12. There will be releases in the Town Page of The Drumheller Mail.
“Over the winter we get things that accumulate, and it’s a small step from the town to encourage people to get rid of material for free,” said Nundahl. “It’s a good opportunity to get the cleanup going and start the summer on a good note.”
Nundahl said Drumheller was the first municipality he’s worked for that does a “unique” service like this. The municipality began offering the service in the 1980s.