In many urban areas, and increasingly in suburban neighborhoods, graffiti and vandalism are a growing nuisance, damaging property and creating an eyesore for community members. Although vandalism, like many crimes, cannot be completely prevented, there are some steps that individuals and communities can take to limit the amount of vandalism that takes place in a particular area.
Keeping an area well lit and free of garbage can help decrease the possibility of graffiti. Most graffiti is done away from areas where vandals might be seen or caught, such as the dark sides of retail buildings as night. Making sure that such areas are readily visible helps decrease the likelihood that potential vandals might target a specific area. Use security lighting in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the threat of vandalism.
Likewise, keeping an area well maintained indicates that someone cares for the property. Keep areas free of graffiti by painting over or eliminating graffiti as soon as possible. Once an area has been targeted by one vandal it increases the likelihood that others may see the area as a “safe place” to add their own graffiti. Criminologists often refer to this as the “Broken Window Theory.” If a building or location has broken windows vandals and graffiti, artists may see this as a place where they can continue what someone else has started. Other graffiti artists may target the area to paint over competing graffiti signs. Repairing any damage as soon as it’s discovered reduces this possibility.
Many areas benefit from “neighborhood watch” organizations – which may be as simple as creating awareness among local businesses and homeowners. Organized neighborhood watch groups may take the time to organize “patrols” that walk or drive through areas as a way to deter individuals from destroying or harming private property. At its most basic level, such a group indicates a commitment to watch out for each others’ property, and to report suspicious behaviors to the police. Many communities with neighborhood watch groups put up signs advertising the existence of such a program. The ultimate effect of community watch groups is similar to increasing lighting and visibility, to show that community members will take notice if someone commits vandalism.
Other preventative measures can include installing security cameras or other security devices. Most graffiti artists use what they call a “tag” which is similar to a signature and is intended to identify the artist responsible. You can combine the information from the tag and security cameras to help authorities locate responsible individuals. If you’ve tried a variety of these techniques and vandals and graffiti artists are still damaging your property you may want to seek help from the local authorities. Taking pictures of the damage and keeping a record of when and where the damage occurred may help you narrow down a potential list of suspects.
There are other ways to limit unwanted painting. Keep in mind that some graffiti artists simply want a place to make their “mark” – and a community sponsored graffiti wall may provide an opportunity to turn potential property damage into a community-building activity.
