Stickers are utilized in the same way as graffiti by vandals, and many who use paint or heavy markers to tag also use stickers as well. We know that graffiti attracts graffiti and it is also seen that stickers will attract more stickers which will ultimately attract other forms of graffiti. In fact, it is our experience that stickers attract stickers at a faster rate than paint graffiti attracts additional paint graffiti

While sticker removal can be difficult, tedious and time consuming, excluding it from a graffiti abatement program undermines efforts to reduce overall vandalism. Without removing stickers, achieving meaningful reduction in visible graffiti becomes extremely difficult. If a street sign has a graffiti tag on the back of it next to a sticker, focusing on one form of vandalism and not the other can be problematic.

A significant portion of hate speech and anti-government vandalism appears in the form of posters and stickers, which are often overlooked. By including these items for removal, whether a graffiti tag is present next to them or not, we greatly increase an areas visual appeal and decrease the time devoted per stop. Leaving stickers until a graffiti tag is present is only shifting work to a later date, which is inefficient.

The work involved in sticker and poster removal on a street light pole, can be just as difficult as removing a marker based graffiti tag on the same pole. It can take a comparable amount of time depending on the size and type of adhesive used.

In any given area it is only a matter of time before a sticker on the back of a sign has a tag next to it, requiring removal of both. By removing them regularly and treating stickers the same as marker or paint based tags, we work more efficiently and produce a more appealing work product.