Downtown leaders discuss reward, cleanup after widespread graffiti across Bozeman

The Downtown Bozeman Partnership discussed offering a financial reward and shouldering cleanup costs after graffiti appeared across downtown Bozeman the night of May 5 and morning of May 6, members said.

The discussion centered on whether the Partnership (the BID) should pledge $5,000 from its contingency fund and ask property owners to match that amount so a $10,000 reward could be advertised for information leading to an arrest. Emily, staff member for the Partnership, said the police department advised individual property owners to file reports so incidents could be tracked by address and that the department is leading the investigation.

The conversation followed an update that the vandalism ran from First Interstate Bank down to Ross Avenue and north and south of Main Street, with property owners providing camera footage to investigators. “The police department is obviously handling the full case investigation on this,” Emily said. Clean Slate Group mapped and photographed the graffiti and is invoicing for contracted cleanup, Emily added.

Why it matters: board members said cleanup costs to property owners and the BID can be substantial and recurring if the same person continues to tag downtown. One board member estimated that large tags can cost “upwards of $5,000,” and another estimated the total cleanup from last week “will probably be close to, like, between 9 to $12” (thousand dollars), according to the meeting record.

Board and property-owner options discussed included soliciting private donations from downtown property owners, running a targeted ad campaign to get tips, posting reward flyers that do not state a dollar amount until funds are committed, and having the Downtown Bozeman Partnership accept funds and manage the reward. Joe Stout, who runs the BID program in Billings and advised the Partnership by email, told staff the tagging appeared “very localized” and likely the work of one individual, according to Ellie, staff member who relayed his comment.

Several participants said a substantial advertised reward would “get somebody’s attention.” One suggested a $10,000 figure as a starting point; others recommended a $5,000 BID pledge paired with a near-term ask to property owners for matching funds. Emily said the police had strict criteria and could not post a partnered reward to their social channels and that a detective she spoke with thought a reward would likely help the investigation but needed to consult a captain about the department’s process.

No formal motion, vote or legal action was recorded during the meeting. Board members agreed to draft outreach materials and begin soliciting contributions immediately, with Emily and Partnership staff to coordinate a reward poster and timeline. “We could get the ask out this week,” Emily said.

Costs, roles and next steps: board members flagged that contracted cleanup will exceed budgeted graffiti-removal line items and that contingency money and the Downtown Safety program budget could be reallocated. Staff said they will follow up with Bozeman Police detectives about any procedural limits on rewards and will prepare communications and an internal process for collecting donations through the Partnership.

Community members who wish to contribute were invited to contact the Downtown Bozeman Partnership; staff said they will also notify the Partnership’s property-owner mailing list and DBA members.

Ending: Partnership leaders said they will return with an implementation plan and a proposed dollar commitment for the board to consider at a future meeting, and staff will continue coordinating with Bozeman Police on investigative leads and cleanup invoices.