Graffiti and vandalism: developing policy solutions and prevention strategies

¶ … Local Problems: Graffiti and Vandalism Issues

In the latest edition of oxford dictionary the word graffiti is defined as the unauthorized writing or drawing on a surface in a public place." This also includes the terrible writing, paintings, cartoon and scribbles one sees on house and public fences, underneath bridges, on the empty sides of a building, unfortunate houses and the most common place for graffiti or "tagging" are the subways. The first impression when one looks at graffiti writing are messy words expected to be written by a five-year-old, but on a closer look when the writing becomes clear is when the actual meaning is understood, which in most of the cases is obscene and vulgar. The pretty colors and intricate designs might look appealing and beautiful but the fact that it is a conscious effort to destroy private or state property is an ugly truth. The main problem with graffiti is that it is "unauthorized" as the meaning implies and provides no assistance than to destroy property and make walls look dirty (Otto. 2000).

Hence it has now been condemned as a crime just like mugging or any other street crime because it deprives or "steals" from the owner of the property the chance and opportunity to keep their property clean and presentable. Also the repairs and painting walls to cover up walls full graffiti a very costly and time consuming process, since the people who scribbled in the first place never offer the satisfaction to pay for the damage they have done which sometimes amount to thousands of dollars. In 2010 alone U.S. had to pay 250, 00,000 dollars to repair graffiti walls. And that is the problem with graffiti -- it is "unauthorized," as the dictionary says, and it destroys someone's property. It is a crime, like stealing, because it steals the property owner's right to have their own property look clean and nice. And it makes repairs costly for the property owner; graffiti scribblers never offer to pay the cost of repairing their destruction, which may cost thousands of dollars (Nugent. 1998).

In this paper we will attempt to draft a policy proposal to help eradicate this social problem. The policy will include various methods to put a stop to graffiti and ways to discourage the people who are involved in it. Following the proposal we will analyze it finding out the positive aspects of it and how it can contribute in ongoing efforts in this respect and attempt to point out the possible flaws which might contribute in the failure of this policy.

Policy Proposal

In this proposal we will discuss the various effective methods to put a stop at vandalism -- anywhere one can see various gang proclamation on the walls using spray paints, weird and vulgar paintings and other examples proving the defacing of public property. Where once upon a time this problem was condensed and only noticeable in certain areas, a huge explosion has been noticed in the past years and now graffiti and vandalism is acted in big countries and towns. Contrary to popular belief graffiti is not just limited to gang activity and nor is the case that only gang members are responsible for such acts, it has now become a jurisdictional offence found in all sizes and is no longer limited to gang activity.

The proposal below discusses various methods to combat this issue, the format is given below.

If there is a recurrence then what is the history behind it?

The main thing is to identify the encouragement and motivation behind these activities and what are the gaining and losing factors for the people involved in acts of vandalism

The underlying factors will have to be identified

Also the scanning of any rivalry involved is important, because most of the times graffiti incidents are the result of gang wars trying to themselves better than the rest

The most important factor is to research whether there have been any past action against crimes of vandalism and graffiti and what was the response generated from it.

Including the general public for a wider Response

Generating a response against vandalism and graffiti is extremely important so that the people know that the government is doing something about the issue also it can provide the government with a ratio of the effected people. This can be including the community and its key players in the process and asking what they want to be done and whether they have any plausible solution to it (Eastel. 1991). Any response should be taken into consideration, this can range from planting shrubs against building walls so that they become safe, to publically discouraging the activity and making a point to show that it is looked down upon this can be done by including various active communities, towns and NGO's in the governmental initiative on projects that work on diverting the attention of the youth and people involved in cases of vandalism and graffiti into other productive activities.

Positive Consequences of the Proposal

The above policy marks a systematic and thorough process regarding the purpose of fighting against tagging, graffiti and vandalism in the United States. It provides and a basic structure and helping points on what can be done one various different levels in a country; from the national level to small communities and towns. It also provides the basic ideas for the implementation of various laws and how the common man can be made a part of it. By the involvement of community members in the process ensures their participation and important reviews can be generated from them which can prove to be extremely helpful in combating vandalism (Cheetham. 1994).

This way more strategies can be provided in order to tackle with the situation latest finding can be updated all the time. The government should create a forum where issues related to only vandalism and graffiti are discussed, so that everyone can be kept in the loop; from the government to the involved forces, the various organizations working for this cause to the community members.

Possible Drawbacks

Graffiti has been transformed into a culture, considering that most of the vandalism criminals are juveniles the laws are hard to impose and considering that it has become such an old issue or culture that complete eradication is not possible (Castleman. 1982). Due to this issue many suggestions have been made that separate areas should be allotted for "graffiti artists" to paint all they want. Graffiti is quintessentially illegal, but considering that our society is made of various layers of multi-cultures and semi-autonomous social fields who whole heartedly believe in free will feel that they have the power to make their own rules. Keeping this mind the act of making graffiti illegal and the various steps taken on national community level, will not completely put a rest to the issue and the people functioning behind it will still continue to do their business as if there are no rules stopping them. Since graffiti provides a coercive force between the individual structuring of our society then causes to help eradicate graffiti cannot work until the differentiation between our societies is curbed.

Possible Recommendations

There are several ways which can at least reduces the cases of vandalism if not completely put a stop to them. These recommendations should be regulated in retail stores who sell spray cans and also in school so that students can be educated in this respect. Some possible recommendations are given below (Butterfield. 1988).

A general guide on various strategies to put a stop on vandalism and graffiti incidents should be published, and the offenses regarding spray cans should be emphasized.

Valuable information should be given to retail managers in this respect and basic education and information should be given to them

Shops dealing with spray can sales should put a sign outside their shops banning the sale of spray cans to minors

Information to schools and boards should be released and there should be a system where school sells spray cans to students when there is need regarding a project or an assignment.

Conclusion

The world has become a polarized narrative between the act of graffiti and the larger than life message of cultural expression it delivers, it is basically is staggering art on an extremely basic level but the ugly side of this act is that it is the destroyer of properties and basic civic culture. Communities and government should join hands in the act against vandalism and should provide other means of cultural expression.