A. Graffiti is a problem in many areas of the City of Hood River. The existence of graffiti causes damage to the public by creating blight, marring the City’s visual attractiveness, adversely affecting the quality of life for the City’s citizens and discrediting the City’s reputation for livability. Graffiti is a public nuisance and destructive of the rights of property owners and of the entire community. When graffiti is allowed to remain on property and not promptly removed, it invites more graffiti and criminal activity.

B. The City has a substantial and compelling interest to prevent and abate the application of graffiti so that the damage and visual blight caused by graffiti is prevented or eliminated.

C. The welfare of the citizens of the City will be served by declaring the existence of graffiti to be a nuisance and to provide for its prompt removal.