Understanding the Sociology Behind Graffiti Production PowerPoint Presentation

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Graffiti Hurts® “Swiss Cheese” PPT for Keep America Beautiful Affiliates Download one or more of the following slide sections for presentations on graffiti vandalism. Then add any slides with local graffiti data and information. Sections are divided by topic area. Some slides are repeated in one or more sections. Basic Graffiti Information/Overview (slides 3-14) Gang Graffiti (slides 16-17) Graffiti Prevention Strategies (slides 19-27) Graffiti Removal (slides 29-31) What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti – appropriate for schools and communities (slides 33-38) Projects to Prevent Graffiti – appropriate for schools and communities (slides 40-46) Resources (slides 48-50) For additional information or requests, contact graffitihurts@kab.org. Updated: July 2007

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Basic Graffiti Information/Overview (Slides 3-14)

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Graffiti…It Hurts Everyone

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How Does Graffiti “Hurt”? Increases citizen fear Reduces retail sales and pedestrian traffic Property values decline Attracts other forms of crime Cleanup drains city budgets

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The Cost of Graffiti Los Angeles County, its 88 cities, MTA, and Caltrans spent an estimated $28 million in 2006 on graffiti removal (Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, 2006) Milwaukee and Denver spend about $1 million annually for graffiti removal; in 2006 Chicago budgeted $6.5 million; Las Vegas about $3 million Vandalism totaled about $1.7 billion in damage in 2002. Graffiti, at 35%, is the most common type of property vandalism (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002)

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What is Graffiti? Words, colors, and shapes drawn or scratched on public or private property without consent Also includes adhesives, etching, and stencil graffiti The FBI considers graffiti “vandalism”

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What is Graffiti? The difference between graffiti and art is PERMISSION

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Who Writes Graffiti? Largely male; 15% are female Most between age 12 and 21 Suburban adolescents create 50% - 70% of graffiti Members of the community

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What Motivates Graffiti Writers? FAME Quality Exposure Quantity Risk REBELLION ARTISTIC EXPRESSION Style Originality Technique POWER Individual power Collective power

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Types of Graffiti Vandalism Primarily Tags (some throw-ups or pieces) Gang Other (e.g. hate) Generic

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Graffiti - “Tags”

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Graffiti - “Throw-ups”

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Graffiti - “Pieces”

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Places at High Risk for Graffiti Transportation systems Highways and road signs Dumpsters, utility boxes, alleys, and private buildings Areas lacking oversight (littered, poorly-lit, abandoned) Skateboard parks and other outdoor public places Areas where graffiti has been painted over to create a “canvas” Areas around “legal” walls

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Responding to Graffiti Vandalism Report to law enforcement and graffiti “hotline” Identify the type of graffiti Document with a photo of the graffiti Remove graffiti promptly and completely

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Gang Graffiti (Slides 16-17)

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Gang Graffiti Makes up about 10%-15% of all graffiti (Source: National Council to Prevent Delinquency) Form of communication using codes (letters, numbers, and symbols) with common meaning; the “newspaper of the street” May be one of the first indications of gang activity in a community About 85% of gang members are in large cities and suburban counties (Source: National Youth Gang Survey 2002)

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Unlike Tagger Graffiti, Gang Graffiti: Identifies the gang and marks territory Serves to warn or challenge rival gangs Glorifies the gang; advertises its status or power Advertises the sale of drugs Memorializes fellow gang members

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Graffiti Prevention Strategies (Slides 19-27)

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Most Effective Prevention Strategy Proper and rapid removal (24 - 48 hours)

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The Impact of Rapid Removal

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Ongoing upkeep keep neighborhood clean and neat remove litter and trash fix broken fences, windows, stairs, etc. trim landscape install proper lighting

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Enforce anti-graffiti laws support law enforcement efforts at your school and in the community educate students, community members, and businesses about the law report graffiti promptly

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Involve the Community cleanups adopt-a-spot murals “Paint bank”

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Control access natural deterrents/ landscaping controlled exits limit rooftop access metal baffles on signs

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Employ graffiti resistant surfaces anti-graffiti coatings textured surfaces dark or colorful surfaces Step up security monitoring cameras “Neighborhood Watch” or “Business Watch” no “legal walls” or graffiti “events”

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Avoid showing graffiti in the media use small area or distorted view don’t mention “tag” names avoid referring to graffiti vandals as “artists”

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Other Ways to Prevent Graffiti: Provide alternatives youth centers arts/murals community mentors after school and sports programs volunteerism (cleanups, anti-graffiti activities)

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Graffiti Removal (Slides 29-31)

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Removing Graffiti Things to Consider surface (wood, concrete, brick, etc.) appropriate removal method access costs local restrictions

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Removing Graffiti Paint Out low cost and relatively safe avoid the “patchwork” effect prepare the surface area color match to the surface select the right paint ensure proper cleanup

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Removing Graffiti Power Washing best for brick, concrete, tile, and other masonry water may include chemical or abrasive additives professional application best Chemical Removal useful for small cleanups (utility boxes, light poles, etc.) larger cleanups require professional application

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What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti – appropriate for schools and communities (Slides 33-38)

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What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti Keep your school and neighborhood clean and neat: remove litter and trash fix broken fences, windows, stairs, etc. trim landscape install proper lighting

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What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti Get educated and report graffiti: Learn how graffiti impacts your school and community Who is responsible for graffiti prevention and clean-up How can you report graffiti or locate the number for a graffiti “hotline”

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What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti Volunteer to get involved: Organize a paint out or clean-up Plan and create a mural Work with police to assemble graffiti removal kits Be a mentor; educate grade schoolers about graffiti vandalism Help establish a paint bank at the local fire station

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What You Can Do To Prevent Graffiti Coordinate a graffiti awareness campaign Make a presentation Organize a pledge for a “graffiti-free” community or school Plan an anti-graffiti poster contest; put the winning art/slogan on t-shirts, hats, etc. Promote an 800 number for reporting graffiti Create and distribute Graffiti Hurts® awareness “bracelets”

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What You Can Do to Prevent Graffiti “Adopt-a-Wall” Commit to keeping a wall at your school or community graffiti-free Plant trees or other greenery near a graffiti-plagued wall Ask your community to install lighting

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Community Projects to Prevent Graffiti – appropriate for schools and communities (Slides 40-46)

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Organize a paint-out and cleanup remove any graffiti remove litter and trash fix broken fences, windows, stairs, etc. trim landscape install proper lighting

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Adopt-a-wall Ensure rapid removal of any graffiti Ensure adequate lighting Plant trees or other greenery Keep the area neat and clean

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Project to Prevent Graffiti Coordinate a mural project Identify a site/s Secure partners and funding Work with the community to create a design Recruit volunteers and gather supplies

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Work with police Understand local anti-graffiti laws Coordinate graffiti removal efforts Ensure response to graffiti hotline Coordinate graffiti education

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Establish a paint bank Work with businesses to organize and contribute Identify a location that is safe for storage Coordinate how supplies are checked out and replaced

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Coordinate an awareness campaign Use Graffiti Hurts® curriculum to present at schools, community centers, after-school programs Organize a “graffiti-free” pledge Plan an anti-graffiti poster contest; promote winning art/slogan on T-shirts, hats, etc. Create and distribute Graffiti Hurts® awareness “bracelets”

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Projects to Prevent Graffiti Organize a graffiti summit Bring the community together to get educated on graffiti Create community awareness; get media involved Get new volunteers for graffiti prevention activities Have police and other public officials present Conclude with a graffiti cleanup

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Resources (Slides 48-50)

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Where To Get Resources? Graffiti Hurts® Grassroots graffiti education and prevention A program of Keep America Beautiful and its over 550 community affiliates Supported by The Sherwin-Williams Company since 1995 www.graffitihurts.org

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Get Help from Graffiti Hurts® At www.graffitihurts.org: Facts and statistics “Tips for Businesses” and “Tips for Homeowners” Prevention strategies Removal techniques Graffiti education (curriculum supplements) “Ten Things You Can Do”

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Wait, There’s More …. At www.graffitihurts.org: Organizing a graffiti cleanup Creating a paint-brush mural Working with police Adopt-a-block Working with the media Graffiti Hurts® Award/Grant Other resources: National Council to Prevent Delinquency www.anti-graffiti.org No Graffiti Network, Inc. www.nograffiti.com