Graffiti removal requests in Koreatown have surged to alarming levels, yet the City of Los Angeles is simultaneously slashing its budget and workforce dedicated to cleaning the streets. Data from the media outlet Crosstown reveals that over the past 12 months, Koreatown received **9,416 graffiti removal requests**, ranking it the **third-highest** area out of 114 regions in the city, trailing only Westlake and Downtown LA [2][5]. The vandalism is concentrated along major corridors including Western Avenue, Wilshire Boulevard, Vermont Avenue, and Beverly Boulevard [2].
The Korean Youth Community Center (KYCC), which manages removal efforts in the neighborhood, currently processes approximately **230 cases per week** or roughly 930 monthly [2]. However, the organization warns that a sharp increase in graffiti since last year has created a critical shortage of staff, causing removal times to stretch to **at least three days** [3]. Across the entire city, MyLA311 logged about **317,000 graffiti complaints** last year, accounting for **22%** of all 1.41 million citizen service requests [2][5].
Despite the rising volume of complaints, the city's financial commitment to graffiti removal is shrinking. The Los Angeles Board of Public Works reports that the budget has declined continuously since the 2023-24 fiscal year, dropping to approximately **$11.8 million** for 2026-27, a **$2.3 million decrease** from the previous year [1]. This reduction has forced the city to cut its on-site work crews from roughly **95 teams to 75**, eliminating 20 units as of July 1 [1].
Office of Community Beautification Director Paul Roach attributed the strain on resources to rising operational costs, including a **20% increase in paint prices** and higher minimum wage requirements [1]. Residents can report graffiti and request removal via the MyLA311 website, mobile app, or by calling 311, though the growing backlog suggests these services are
