Waging war on graffiti in Sunnyside

Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer is taking his fight against graffiti to the streets.
The councilmember joined with CitySolve, a graffiti removal company, on August 22 to commemorate the second year of his initiative against graffiti in District 26. With help from a spray gun provided by CitySolve, Van Bramer painted over graffiti at the corner of 47th Avenue and 46th Street in Sunnyside.
“I am proud to partner with so many terrific organizations and members in the fight against graffiti in District 26,” said Van Bramer. “This free initiative will improve the aesthetics of our neighborhoods and lead to a safer, graffiti-free community.”
In the first year of the program, over 1,000 locations were cleaned, including corridors of Broadway, Skillman Avenue, 43rd Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue and Woodside Avenue.
The clean-up will expand during the second year of the initiative to encompass 43rd and 48th avenues in Sunnyside.
As part of the program, residents of the 26th Council District can report graffiti located anywhere by calling 718-383-9566 Ext.3, and the unwanted vandalism will be removed within a week.
“Removing unwanted graffiti benefits home and business owners because it increases the overall property values, and can potentially stimulate economic benefits,” said Bruce Pincleney, the operator of CitySolve. “It also fulfills a sense of civic duty, which is why I do it for a living.”
Along with physically removing graffiti from his district, Van Bramer also funded the anti-graffiti hotline and program for $30,000 a year through the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce.
“The chamber is proud to administer the funds for this grant program the councilmember has been able to extend into this year even while facing difficult financial cuts in council budget items,” said Rebecca Barker, president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce. “Our businesses and neighbors are truly appreciative of the quick response to their calls. We all owe both Jimmy and former Chamber President Ira Greenberg a big thank you for their work and follow up on this important initiative.”
The councilmember also supports community graffiti clean-up days with groups like Sunnyside United Neighborhood Network (SUNN), Woodside on the Move and the 114th Civilian Observation Patron Inc.
Residents of District 26 appreciate the efforts taken by Van Bramer, and they are hoping he can help rid the area of unwanted graffiti.
“I think graffiti can be demoralizing to a community,” said Sheila Lewandowski, a resident of Long Island City and a victim of graffiti. “You choose how you want the front of your place to look, and when someone vandalizes it without your permission, they are laying claim to its appearance, and I find that very demoralizing. I believe the councilmember’s anti-graffiti campaign is a very positive way to bring people together to reclaim the appearance of our community.”