Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced his plan to address what he's calling a surge in graffiti seen in the city. The "One Seattle Graffiti Plan" is intended to help beautify the city, as well as increase enforcement. It would also increase space for public art through the "Many Hands Art Initiative." “We have an opportunity to envision a more beautiful Seattle – with murals and canvasses that reflect our values of creativity, inclusion, and forward-thinking,” Harrell said. “Not only does tagging and graffiti detract from the vibrancy of our city, there are tangible impacts on communities targeted by hate speech, small business owners whose shops are defaced, and residents who rely on City signage for information and guidance. "Incidents of graffiti have dramatically increased throughout the pandemic, and progress requires a One Seattle approach, where we work together to advance proven solutions, reduce silos, and tap into our greatest resource – our community.” According to the city, reports of graffiti have increased by more than 50% since 2019, including nearly 20,000 reports and tagging in 2021. The "One Seattle Graffiti Plan" will initially rely on $944,000 of the mayor's proposed budget and be used for improved abatement efforts, supporting property owners, and improving volunteer opportunities. READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-mayor-seattle-graffiti-plan/281-39b02be4-d1c1-444b-b927-72ad94efd131