WASHINGTON, DC — The American Coatings Association (ACA) has assumed the management responsibilities of the National Council to Prevent Delinquency (NCPD). NCPD is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization battling the spread of graffiti vandalism and misguided state and local governmental activities aimed at restricting the sale of legitimate spray paint products. The council works diligently with state and local communities to develop comprehensive anti-graffiti programs that do not infringe on the retail shelf space for spray paint.

NCPD was created in 1994 after the city of Chicago banned retail sales of spray paint. Since its inception, the council had been managed by Bob Hills of Hills Communications Inc., who passed way in December 2012. A fierce friend of the aerosol paint industry, Hills helmed the council with great success, thwarting multiple proposed bans or lock-up ordinances for spray paint.

NCPD has been successful in combatting bans or restrictive lock-up ordinances for spray paint across the United States. Since the council began operations in 1994, 18 large U.S. cities have rejected lock-up ordinances in favor of NCPD’s Responsible Retailing program. As an alternative, NCPD has successfully promoted Responsible Retailing, a combination of in-store activities designed to reduce shoplifting of potential graffiti tools and to stop the illegal sale of spray paint, where such sale is prohibited to customers under the age of 18. It includes the education of store employees, the strategic placement of signs at display and checkout points, and the prudent display of spray paint.