The clock ticks past 4 a.m. and most people are sleeping sound in beds, couches or on whatever they find comfortable. This is when the cats come out to play with their spray cans and bandanas.
Some of the residents in one of Toronto’s oldest community housing complexes have waited as long as seven years for the City of Toronto to make property standards repairs. Data released by the city's Municipal Licensing and Standards department shows over 100 tenant complaints have been made to the city about Vendome Place, with some dating back to 2010.
"I wanted something related to the Greek culture, but not something harsh like Zeus, or some god," Angel Carrillo said. "I wanted something playful and animated."
Helen Aspiotis used to have frequent problems with graffiti. Since her store was painted with a mural of a young man's face and bright purple roses, Aspiotis' graffiti problems have stopped. She's appealed to the city to keep the mural.
Toronto will be getting a new paint job starting this summer. The city’s new StreetARToronto (StART) program is aiming to put up wall murals to add flavour and character to many of its neighbourhoods. These may be done as graffiti, stencil, mosaic, projections or other techniques.