City adds two trucks to graffiti-removal fleet

Chicago is adding two new trucks to its fleet of graffiti-removal vehicles.

The city estimates that with these new trucks, the Department of Streets and Sanitation will be able to remove 10 to 15 percent more graffiti, according to a release from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office.

A $1 million addition to the city’s 2014 budget is paying for the vehicles and three additional graffiti removal crews, the release said.

These trucks will use a citric acid-based solvent to remove markings from a variety of surfaces, the release said. The department — which removes more than 250 pieces of graffiti every day — has two other similar chemical trucks, and several other trucks that paint over markings or blast them away with baking soda.

“Rapid graffiti removal is one of the best deterrents for future graffiti vandals,” said DSS Commissioner Charles Williams. “By constantly enhancing our graffiti removal efficiency through improved planning and equipment, graffiti removal crews are able to effectively combat graffiti vandalism citywide.”