About 100 Edmonton police officers are in workshops Thursday learning about anti-graffiti enforcement. The police chief says graffiti is a serious issue in our city and he's not taking it lightly.

Police Chief Mike Boyd says the increase of graffiti in Edmonton is signalling the decline of communities and it makes residents feel unsafe.

The one-day conference officers are attending features experts from across the country and are designed to teach participants new techniques for tracking down violators.

And while some don't consider graffiti to be a serious crime, Boyd says if it is not removed it will only trigger more acts of mischief and help to create an environment in which crime can thrive.

"Graffiti vandalism is a serious crime," he said. "It mars our streetscape and, along with social disorder, leads to the decline of neighbourhoods in Edmonton."

Thursday's conference coincides with the city's Capital City Clean Up program, which implements graffiti education, community and support initiatives to remove graffiti from properties.

Last year, Edmonton police recorded 360 incidents of graffiti and mischief in our city.

With files from Bill Fortier