Graffiti
Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...
abatement is a joint effort between a given community; its
public works
Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community. They include public buildings ( municipal buildings, sc ...
division; police department;
community development
The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." It is a broad concept, applied to the practices of civic leaders, activists ...
; and parks, recreation, and community services to eliminate graffiti
vandalism
Vandalism is the action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
The term includes property damage, such as graffiti and defacement directed towards any property without permission of the owner. The term ...
. In an effective graffiti abatement program, hot spots – areas frequently targeted by graffiti vandals – are checked regularly, with the overall goal of removing graffiti as soon as possible. The reasoning given is, that graffiti is an expensive burden for a community, as it lowers property values, generates repair costs and can incite additional criminal activity.
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Young Offender Graffiti Abatement Programs
Young offender graffiti abatement programs have been growing in popularity throughout Europe and Australia as an effective method to reduce local government costs while allowing young offenders to perform community service under supervision of welfare officers. Safe graffiti removal programs are developed in conjunction with government and graffiti remover chemical manufacturers.
Graffiti Offender Mentorship.
A new and effective approach to the problem of graffiti is graffiti offender mentorship programs as developed by
The Big Picture Arts Project.
If graffiti is to be treated with empathy, then solutions must be aimed at redirection and culture shift. By mentoring young artists in their creative growth process the change is more significant.
Professional artists work with small groups of youth on a project lasting about a week, teaching them how to stretch and gesso their own canvas, meet other working artists, visit galleries and museums to establish a vision of their own waiting place in the future of art. Redirecting them towards making “ART WITHOUT VICTIMS”.
See also
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Anti-graffiti coating
An anti-graffiti coating is a coating that prevents graffiti paint from bonding to surfaces.
Cleaning graffiti off buildings costs billions of dollars annually. Many cities have started anti-graffiti programs but vandalism is still a problem. Comp ...
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Broken windows theory
In criminology, the broken windows theory states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. The theory suggests that po ...
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Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network
References
Government Abatement Program
External links
* http://bigpicturearts.com
Big Picture Arts Project (Artists working to redirect graffiti offenders towards making art without victims/nowiki>]
RAGE - Residents Against Graffiti EverywhereNo Graffiti Network2002 New York City Council Investigation Division Graffiti Report
Graffiti and unauthorised signage
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