Residents in Dayton, Ohio, now have a new way to report graffiti and other vandalism directly from their smartphones, giving city officials another tool to identify problem locations and respond more efficiently.

The newly introduced reporting portal allows people to submit information about graffiti they encounter around the city without necessarily having to make a traditional phone report. The digital approach is intended to make reporting quicker and more convenient for residents.

Graffiti can affect public buildings, businesses, bridges, utility infrastructure and other shared spaces. Beyond the appearance of damaged property, repeated vandalism can create additional cleanup expenses for communities and property owners.

The new system gives residents a more direct role in bringing such problems to the attention of local authorities. Information submitted through the platform can help officials identify areas experiencing repeated vandalism and determine where cleanup or additional attention may be needed.

The launch also reflects a broader shift toward digital tools for local government services. Smartphone-based reporting systems can allow residents to provide information while they are actually at the location where a problem occurs, potentially making it easier for officials to understand the nature and location of an issue.

City officials are encouraging residents to use the appropriate reporting process when they encounter graffiti rather than attempting to remove vandalism themselves, particularly when the affected property involves electrical equipment, transportation infrastructure or other potentially dangerous facilities.

The new portal is part of Dayton’s effort to make city services more accessible while improving communication between residents and local authorities.

Residents can now use the digital reporting option to help officials identify graffiti across the community and support efforts to keep public spaces cleaner.