App lets North Las Vegas residents notify city about vandalism

Dating? There's an app for that. Looking for a job? There's an app for that. Graffiti removal? Now there's an app for that.

The Contact North Las Vegas app was released in February with the intention of making it easier for North Las Vegas residents to bring attention to a problem.

"This app has been meeting all of our expectations," said Greg Blackburn, the city's community development and compliance director. "The app saves our city staff time by going out into the field right away as opposed to returning phone calls and trying to figure out where the graffiti is."

The smartphone app allows people to take a photo of the problem, attach a note and submit it to City Hall.

Residents do not need to include a location because the phone's data can include the location, if settings are set to allow it.

Submissions can also be reported anonymously.

Blackburn said the city has received approximately 500 complaints via the app, mostly dealing with graffiti and broken streetlights.

The app is compatible with both Apple and Android phones, and community members can sign up through the Apple App store on an iPhone or the Google Play store on Android and report graffiti the moment they see it on a wall, overpass or anywhere else in the area.

North Las Vegas receives an estimated 18,000 reports of graffiti every year, according to Mitch Fox, spokesman for the city.

Fox said the graffiti causes more than $2.5 million in property damage and can often deter potential business owners from opening shop in the city.

Blackburn added that it's become the city's goal to get rid of graffiti. Staff works six days a week to remove unwanted markings.

"We want to be as competitive as we can in the commerce development arena," Blackburn said. "We have international businesses that come into town to look at our property. If they see graffiti, it makes them think that we can't deal with crime, and they take their business elsewhere."

It's not just graffiti that the app is targeting.

It can also be used to report other troubling issues such as littering, abandoned shopping carts, weeds and illegal dumping or parking.

Submissions that take place out of city limits or deal with homeowner association regulations instead of city violations may be directed elsewhere.

Those hoping for a cash reward will be able to receive $250 if their photograph of a tagger or lawbreaker leads to the person's arrest and conviction.

The goal is to address each complaint within 24 to 48 hours. Markings with profanity are taken care of right away. Once issues are addressed, the app user may be notified.

The recent $6 fee added to residents' water bills has enabled the city to hire three new graffiti abatement staffers. North Las Vegas has also started to use graffiti resistant coating on buildings that allow city staff to wash off the graffiti with soap and water.

Residents don't need the app to report vandalism in the community, however. Graffiti located on North Las Vegas property can be reported to the 24-hour graffiti hotline at 702-633-1871.

Those who witness graffiti vandalism in progress are encouraged to notify the police by calling 3-1-1.

The city joins Las Vegas and Henderson, which have similar apps available.

"Our residents and city employees are our eyes and ears," Blackburn said. "This app gives us the opportunity to elevate the quality of life for residents and lets us become more competitive in the commercial and industrial development arena. We need that."

— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.