Introduction - What's Graffiti?
Graffiti can be described as any writing or images that have had their form painted, drawn, marked, scrawled, or scratched on any property. Graffiti can refer to any design, figure, inscription, or mark that has been written on privately owned or government-owned properties. Graffito is a single scribble, while graffiti can refer to an entire scribbling/drawing. Graffiti is any type of public marking that appears as a distinctive symbol. Most often, it's a simple decoration consisting of written words or elaborate wall paintings.
Graffiti is also a unauthorized drawing or inscribed on any surface located in public areas. Graffiti can also include ugly scribbles that are often found on fences, on bridges and subways, as well as on cars, trains and buses. While some of these graffiti looks like intricate paintings, most are made from garbage that appears to be the work of small children.
Graffiti vandalism can take many forms. Gang graffiti and tags are among the most destructive and harmful forms of graffiti vandalism. Gang members use the tags and graffiti to mark their territory or threaten other gangs. These can lead to violence. These tags are the author's signature. They can also be used to create complicated street art. Conventional graffiti is usually malicious and hurtful. It's often the work of isolated youths or impulsive individuals. Ideological graffiti, which is hateful graffiti that expresses ethnic or racial messages through slurs, can create a lot tension among people. Acid etching is another method used by graffiti artists. This involves using paints that are mixed with acids and other chemicals to create permanent etchings. (Wilson, 52-66)
Graffiti - Art and Vandalism
Graffiti is not considered art because it does not require consent or permission. Graffiti is one of many art forms. However, it is often considered undesirable and unwelcome damage to public and government property. Almost all countries consider vandalism the act of vandalism in modern times.
Graffiti that was not destroyed any personal belongings would still have looked artistic. Graffiti scribblers claim that they use colorful graffiti to enhance the appearance of fences and walls on their property. This is highly doubtful as they almost never get permission from the property owner before creating their art and turning it into vandalism. They cannot alter or destroy the appearance of a property's appearance without the owner's permission. (Smollar, 47-58)
Since graffiti is illegally used of public or government property, people consider it vandalism throughout history. This act of vandalism is more than mutilation and an ugly thing. It is also very costly to remove. Graffiti, regardless of how it is used to express and share their emotions, must be done in an area that has been designated for graffiti and signed off by someone authorized. Otherwise, graffiti will not be considered art and will be considered vandalism.
Graffiti created without permission cannot be considered art. Graffiti is more than a dangerous and irresponsible form of art that promotes gang activities or truancy. We can see that graffiti vandalism is not artistic. (Austin, 450-451)
Graffiti: The Problem
Background
Graffiti is a problem that both governments and people around the world have to deal with. It has been around for centuries and can even be dated back as far as Ancient Greece and Rome. Graffiti is considered a form of terrorism by some people, even though it is still in its larval phase. Graffiti is fundamentally illegal and created by destroying the possessions of others.
Graffiti vandals today use spray paints and markers to create graffiti, making it an even more serious problem. The cost of painting over graffiti can be very expensive and the property owners must pay. Graffiti artists are often unknown, so they don't offer to pay for repairs to vandalized property. Sometimes it could be thousands of dollars.
Sometimes graffiti can cause a property to lose its value. These graffiti vandals not only scribble across the fences and walls, but sometimes they even break windows, doors and fences just to make art. They cut the seats of cars, buses, and trains that the government must pay. (Ley, 491-505)
Recent History
Graffiti has been a problem for decades. It has spread to every corner of the globe, from major cities to smaller towns. Graffiti is not a problem that should be treated as a singular issue. It can lead to other problems like littering, loitering, public urination, public urination, crime, and other disorders. Most graffiti scribblers are unable to afford the paints and markers so they shoplift them. Graffiti is often seen as a sign of poor quality of life in some communities, and is therefore considered a public disorder.
Graffiti is almost always associated to crimes and it greatly increases fear among families in a community of criminal activity. Graffiti vandals can sometimes even cause anxiety in citizens' hearts by making them feel like the government is incapable of protecting them against graffiti scribblers.
Graffiti vandals don't care about public or government property and will deface any object they find, including blank walls, alley gates and monuments.
Graffiti can be found almost anywhere that is visible to the public. Graffiti poses a danger to drivers' safety as graffiti vandals can even destroy traffic signals and street signs that guide them through busy cities. Families and businesses may have to avoid certain areas due to the depreciation of land value or the excessive nuisance caused by graffiti vandals. People living in graffiti-prone areas may have their business activities reduced as they are more likely to associate criminal activity with graffiti. (D'Angelo, 102-109)
Cleaning costs
High costs are associated with graffiti removal and prevention. To protect themselves against graffiti vandals, both the government and the general public must pay a lot of money. It is estimated that approximately $22 billion annually is spent by the US to clean up graffiti and prevent it from happening again. It was also discovered that graffiti is almost everywhere in England, with almost 90% of its locations being covered by PS26 million each year.
The local authorities have to quickly clean up graffiti and repair any damage. The government and councils must have quick response units that can quickly and efficiently clean up graffiti and repair damages as soon as it is reported. The entire process can be costly for government officials and councils. They will need to use a mix of preventive, protective and removal strategies to combat graffiti vandalism. However, protecting and deterring graffiti will not eliminate it completely. It is best to get rid of graffiti as soon as possible. (Ley, 491-505)
Graffiti's Negative Side
Graffiti is not only dangerous for residents of a neighbourhood, but also causes a lot of damage that government officials must clean up using funds from the city. The government must pay for graffiti removal. This has an impact on the city's budget. For repairs to streets, buildings and other property damage, government officials must use significant amounts of the city budget. The eradication and prevention graffiti vandalism requires a lot of money. This is why it can be very expensive and time-consuming.
Graffiti can also negatively impact taxpayers, who must pay more to fix damages to public property, in turn, as part of their annual property taxes. Businesses sometimes pass the costs of cleaning graffiti from their properties onto their customers. Customers are then forced to pay higher prices for the goods they purchased. (Rafferty, 77-84)
Graffiti can also cause revenue losses due to reduced retail sales and transit system use. The money needed to clean up graffiti can also be used to improve an area or for other worthwhile purposes. Businesses that are plagued with graffiti are less likely to be sponsored because it reduces retail sales. The general public will feel uneasy and afraid when they see graffiti on retail stores. Graffiti vandalism does not just include spray painting graffiti and the destruction of property. The graffiti vandals also commit other serious crimes such as rape or robbery. Graffiti vandals believe they can do whatever they want and they don't have to be reported. (Austin, 450-451)
Graffiti is often associated with gangs. However, graffiti vandals don't just belong to these gangs. Graffiti creates a blighted environment and increases the fear of gang-related violence and activities in the hearts of the public. Graffiti is often used by gangs to mark their territory. It also serves as an indicator or tag for the activities of a gang. Tag and gang graffiti are very common in these areas. This can also cause a lot of trouble.
Acid spray paints and markers are used by gangs to mark buildings and apartments with tags. They can be used as a slogan, statement or insult. These graffiti may include slogans and symbols that are unique to a particular gang, and can also be used as a threat or challenge to a rival gang. Graffiti is not only used to discredit other gangs, but also racist graffiti can be scribbled on walls, which can cause a lot of tension within certain communities.
Residents are often shocked by such activities and forced to leave the area for their safety. Graffiti scribblers, who are sometimes members of a gang of its crew, often get into fighting. Sometimes, a few of these gang wars result in the death of many of their fellow graffiti scribblers. Gang members take graffiti messages very seriously and almost always act on them. (Smollar, 47-58)
Graffiti is a problem because, although a single graffiti act may not be considered a crime, it can have a long-lasting effect that makes it more serious. Graffiti vandals are almost always attracted to graffiti that was first created in a specific neighborhood. Graffiti is more common in certain areas. Graffiti criminals are more inclined to target graffiti areas that have been painted over. These areas attract graffiti criminals to re-vandalism and act as magnets.
Graffitists may commit vandalism because they are stubborn or to win an emotional battle with city officials and the council. Graffiti vandals are done deliberately to assert their authority over an area. Graffiti offenders are motivated to challenge the authorities. (Wilson, 52-66)
Graffiti can be extremely offensive and lead to some very bad habits, especially among teenagers. They lose concern for the government or other people and start to scribble wherever they can. They lose respect for others and their property, and they even begin to graffiti school desks and tables. Graffiti vandals don't care about the people around them, and this leads to a more pessimistic outlook in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Graffiti can lead to criminal acts, but it can also cause disruptive behavior and anti-social feelings in the graffiti scribblers. Teenagers and children sometimes graffiti other people's properties without their permission or consent. This is a mischievous act and they could be committing a crime that is similar to vandalism, which can lead to severe penalties. They are responsible for most graffiti found on buildings and streets. Sometimes, their graffiti can even be offensive or racist. (Rafferty, 77-84)
Juvenile crime
Officials in the city are also concerned that graffiti vandalism may be a juvenile's first offense, leading to more serious and sophisticated crimes. Graffiti can be a gateway to crime for juveniles, and it can also lead to truancy which could mean that the juveniles are not educated throughout their lives.
These young minds, who are not provided with a good education, turn to alcoholism or drug abuse and end up in grave situations. Teenagers and young adults go astray, sending a message that graffiti can lead to many criminal activities. Drug peddlers can promote their products in those areas where residents and authorities are not present. (Smollar, 47-58)
Graffiti is a social menace
Graffiti can be a problem as it can contaminate the environment. Graffiti is a serious problem in modern cities, as it causes visual pollution. The graffiti that is everywhere on walls and fences can be a major problem for cities and local councils. However, even a costly cleaning strategy is ineffective and inefficient as graffiti vandals almost always find a way of reproducing graffiti.
Graffiti vandalism can be a complex public disorder that is difficult to solve. Graffiti vandalism is not only expensive but also very difficult because it requires a lot of work. Graffiti can cause permanent damage to certain surfaces. The graffiti vandals also change the natural environment and the landscape of surrounding areas. Graffiti vandalism can lead to urban decay if it is not stopped. This could cause further property loss and increase fear within communities.
Graffiti is often covered up or painted over, but some of the original damage remains. Sometimes, the paint doesn't match or the area is darker than it was before, making the cover-up visible. Graffiti can have a major impact on the appearance of a neighborhood, and often lowers the quality life for the whole community. Graffiti scribblers who destroy subways and train stations immediately make a negative first impression on all of the citizens of that area.
Graffiti is not a problem that causes maintenance problems, but it can cause a complex social problem, making people feel unsafe in their own communities. Because of the loss of beauty and pride in their neighborhoods, communities become less livable. Graffiti can ruin the beauty and scenic beauty of a community, and it can also spread hate messages.
Sometimes graffiti can be so offensive it causes a disturbance to the residents, making it a problem for the whole community. Residents feel unsafe and fear for their children as they have to live in such a troubled area. Although graffiti might seem like a radical art form, it is actually a form of vandalism that is extremely distressing and difficult to remove for the people whose belongings were damaged by graffiti. (Rafferty, 77-84)
Graffiti's Consequences
Vandalism is the act of removing public or government property from its owners without their permission. This makes offenders even more punishable under the laws of many countries. Graffiti can be considered a crime because its creators take the right of property owners to make their property look clean and tidy. Graffiti vandalism is referred to by police authorities around the globe as criminal damage. Graffiti vandals must be punished with severe penalties that include both jail time and large fines so they don't repeat their crimes again. Not only must the offenders pay severe penalties, but they can also be prosecuted.
Graffiti vandals should be punished with more than just a fine for damaging properties. They should also be required to clean graffiti up. As a punishment, juvenile scribblers must perform community service. Graffiti vandals who commit serious crimes like murder or rape can be sentenced to life imprisonment. Graffiti vandals can cause damage to government property and other people, as well as risk their lives by creating graffiti. Sometimes they gamble with their lives to make graffiti on bridges and trains. These graffiti scribblers often end up with terrible injuries, some even dying. (D'Angelo, 102-109)
Conclusion
Because graffiti is not a widespread problem in some countries, they might not consider it a serious problem. They may have only seen graffiti vandalism in a handful of areas. The extent of graffiti vandalism is a problem in the majority of areas. Graffiti is a visible form of vandalism that can be seen by many people. It also has a profound impact on the perceptions of the surrounding area.
Graffiti scribblers choose the locations where passersby frequent so that their drawings and scribblings can have a greater impact on them. Graffiti is a form vandalism because of the medium graffiti artists use to display their art, which is usually a piece or canvas. Graffiti vandals force viewers to see their work even though they don't want to.
They don't consider where their work will be placed, whether it might pose a problem for the public, or whether the medium they use belongs to the government. These factors all contribute to the perception that graffiti is vandalism, which leads to crime and urban decay as well as a decrease in property and business value and an increase in industries.
Works Cited
Austin, J. Austin, J.
D'Angelo, Frank J. Frank J. D'Angelo, Frank J. Ley. Urban Graffiti as Territorial Markers. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 64.4 (2001: 491-505).
Rafferty P. Discourse On Difference: Street Art/ Graffiti Youth." Visual Anthropology Review 7.2 (2005): 77-84.
Smollar, J. "Homeless Youth in America: Description and Developmental Issues." New Directions for Child and Adolescent Growth 39.5 (2006): 47–58.
Wilson, J. Wilson, J.
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