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Graffiti: Fines and Community Service

Graffiti: Fines and Community Service

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H2>The problem of graffiti is a prolific one, plaguing many metropolitan areas throughout the world.<>/h2> The consequences of this crime also carry a heavy toll. Destruction of private or public property, caused by the defacing nature of graffiti, is the driving force behind the criminal charges associated with those convicted of the crime. These consequences carry a strict no-tolerance policy in most cities throughout the United States, because cities want to deter graffiti.

 

Because graffiti is such a massive, unruly problem, legislation designed to prevent its occurrence has seen stiffer fines and penalties in recent years. Mandatory minimum fines can start as high as $1,000, and is punishable by no less than six months in jail, or more, depending on the severity of the damage caused by graffiti. These fines often then go to budgets allocated for graffiti abatement in cities where budgets are constrained.

 

In addition to these fines, community service is also dealt to those convicted of property defacement where the individual is assigned to clean up graffiti areas. This community service acts as both a humbling experience for the perpetrator, as well as cuts down on the cost and resources used to clean up the graffiti. Through the hard work of graffiti abatement, those convicted of graffiti charges are much less likely to become repeat offenders of this crime, helping to deter further recurrences.

 

Because most acts of graffiti and vandalism in general, are committed in areas and at times when there is less of a chance the suspect will be caught, the apprehension of suspects by law enforcement is highly unlikely; leads are very rarely followed up on.  If the graffiti was committed on a private residence or business then the responsibility of cleanup falls solely on the property owner, the victim of this type of crime.

 

Using specialized anti-graffiti surveillance cameras, suspects committing this crime can be easily identified. Evidence footage captured by these cameras is then used in cases to successfully prosecute individuals charged with property defacement. These cameras also act as a graffiti deterrent when the public is well-informed of their intention and placement.

 

Deterrence can be accomplished with community awareness that the area is being watched and hefty fines that include community service.

Winter Break - Increase in School Graffiti

Winter Break – Increase in School Graffiti

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Winter break is approaching, which means there will be an increase of bored kids with free time, not  within their usual, daily classroom setting.  Bored, free time, could mean kids looking for mischief. Predictably, these kids usually roam about the commonplace stomping grounds of their school campus. And a vacant school gives impetuous children the opportune moment to commit graffiti and vandalism.  Unfortunately, during winter break school districts tend to see an influx in school-ground graffiti, as experienced last January in 2017.

Graffiti at schools yields budget problems for the school district.  Immanently, the school must first pay for the cleanup quickly. For failure to execute a complete removal of the markings leads to the risk of more painted writings, and more vandalism means heavier cleanups and higher school spending.  In addition, markings on the school campus are an eyesore and bring down the value of the school, as these signals are associated with gang activity.  Sadly, this problem can beget a diminishing attendance and less funding for the school.

When schools become deficient in funding, it becomes an entirely new, inexorable concern.  The students are the backbone of society, and when they aren’t provided an environment worth fighting for, society falls apart. Not to mention the snow-balling effect that evolves when graffiti and vandalism are strewn about a school’s grounds.

Students are influenced strongly by the peers within their environment, and when their environment spells trouble, kids absorb this behavior like a sponge.  Some children will respond with anger using rebound graffiti targeting the school.  Other children will respond with curiosity adventuring with their first markings on the unattended school. This environment influences the next generations in ways one cannot even imagine.

When it comes to school-ground vandalism, prevention is the number one penny saver.  There is too much at stake to risk all the consequences that follow a single act of graffiti.  In every instance, especially when it comes to deterring graffiti and vandalism, it is best to not make a mistake when you can avoid it.  This holiday break, measure twice and cut once.

Tagger

Graffiti Prevention Friend or Foe?

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Graffiti is sprayed at millions of locations every day. Graffiti comes out in different ways such as: gang graffiti, tagger graffiti, conventional graffiti, and ideological graffiti. Graffiti usually happens in urban environments on public and private property. In many cases, graffiti is seen as acceptable urban art, and not a problem. However, Center for Problem-Oriented Policing (POP Center) disagrees and says that graffiti is indeed a problem, and believes there needs to be methods on how to stop graffiti vandalism.  The reason graffiti prevention is not important for some is because the problem is not important enough.

Some people do not report graffiti or see a need to prevent it because they do not see it as “real crime” problem, or they believe the police know how to stop graffiti vandalism. The media has elevated and promoted graffiti as an “acceptable form of urban street art”. Famous graffiti artists like Banksy have developed huge recognition, and people love the ideological images he produces. Graffiti is not seen as a problem because they are not aware of the problem it produces.

A single or few incidents of graffiti may not seem as problems, but graffiti accumulates. An area that was sprayed with graffiti seems to attract more graffiti. The motives of the graffiti offenders vary, but all offenders do graffiti so others can see their message or art. Because graffiti offenders want recognition, graffiti spreads to more than one area like a virus or disease.

Graffiti is usually targeted on public property.  The national annual cost for monitoring, detecting, removing, and repairing graffiti damage is estimated to be as high as 15 to 18 billion dollars. A lot of the public sees graffiti as the government not doing its job to enforce laws and protect property. The POP center says that graffiti contributes to loss of ridership on public transit systems, and reduced sales because of decline in property value. Graffiti has a perception that is related to gang activity. In addition, graffiti in itself is not a problem in a vacuum, but other crimes and disorders are related to graffiti.

Graffiti for some may be an art, but for many others graffiti is a problem that negatively affects many neighborhoods and people.  Graffiti may be applauded, but the negative aspects of graffiti out way the good. The public should be aware of these so police and communities can have more of an impact in stopping graffiti vandalism. Graffiti prevention is much needed nationally and is a friend for all.

School safety

School Security and School Safety

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With Spring Break fast approaching, schools should be focusing on plans to protect their vacant campuses during the extended break. Every year, schools become targets for vandalism, trespassing, graffiti and theft, leaving behind extensive and EXPENSIVE damages for the district.

As we focus on “school security” and “school safety,” these two terms seem interchangeable, but there is difference between the two. Dan Flynn, author of the article “The ABCs of School Security” featured in Police Chief Magazine differentiates between the two.

School safety relies on the condition of the school, where school security relies on the means and products in which to deliver the safe environment. School safety is an “ideal” state of being  free of any hazards or danger. Building codes, preventative maintenance efforts, good community, and well trained staff are all examples of what can create a safer school environment.  School security is the condition of being protected or prevented from danger. Security cameras, campus police and school resource officers, and CPTED are examples of school security. When schools improve on their security efforts, they tend to improve their overall safety of the school.

Police Chief Magazine also suggests collaborating between law enforcement experts and the private security industry experts to develop school security programs. By training the teachers and providing the latest technology and security systems in schools will also provide a safer environment for the students and faculty.