StreetART Program - Documentary

This short documentary film provides insight into how Mac's/CircleK Convenience Stores have creatively combated crime issues by proactively engaging the community and police through StreetART murals.

The Mac’s/CircleK StreetART Mural initiative works to create strategic partnerships in an effort to help prevent crime and strengthen community relationships; while working diligently towards a community-based shared responsibility. Engaging the community, especially the youth will only empower them to develop a stronger ability to make a positive difference.

This forward thinking concept has seen positive results, not only in the reduction of crime at the locations where the murals have been painted – but also in the beautification the mural has within the community. As a result of this initiative, graffiti crime and overall crime at these locations have been virtually eliminated.

This unique concept caught the attention of Katy DeCelles, a Professor from Harvard University and University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies. In 2015, Mac’s received an educational study grant from Harvard University to implement additional StreetART Murals.

To bring enhanced “youth relevance” to the murals, a mural mascot named SpikeyG was created. SpikeyG is a youth who travels with his superhero teddy bear, doing positive things within the community. Implementing SpikeyG has provided an opportunity to engage our social media platforms with a trend of #SpikeyGsAdventures as we work to complete murals in different cities across Central and Western Canada.

Successful murals have been completed in partnership with Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, Thunder Bay Police, Barrie Police, Niagara Police, Ottawa Police, North Bay Police, Calgary Police, and Owen Sound Police.

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We have been doing mural work with our community for over 30 years. We have seen the power of it to deter graffiti, to empower local artists and compliment community actions towards crime reduction and social cohesion. The interests of artists, private business, community development workers, policing and residents are very delicate to balance. There are so many variables at play that must be respected and taken into consideration, expectations, community identity, ownership (who has it, who gets it, how is that transfered?) power imbalances and bottom lines. Keep us posted on how it goes when you hit Windsor Magic!