Graffiti

Summary of Responses to Graffiti

The table below summarizes the responses to graffiti, the mechanism by which they are intended to work, the conditions under which they ought to work best, and some factors you should consider before implementing a particular response. It is critical that you tailor responses to local circumstances, and that you can justify each response based on reliable analysis. In most cases, an effective strategy will involve implementing several different responses. Law enforcement responses alone are seldom effective in reducing or solving the problem.

Reducing Rewards to Offenders
Response No.	Response	How It Works	Works Best If...	Considerations
1	Detecting graffiti rapidly and routinely	Permits rapid removal	…locations are regularly monitored	Requires commitment and resources—efforts should not be piecemeal; can involve employees, police, citizens, hotlines, and other means
2	Removing graffiti rapidly	Reduces time graffiti is visible, thus thwarting offenders' objective of having graffiti be widely seen	…removal is very quick and consistent	Removal may be expensive, difficult and/or coercive (e.g., victims, as well as offenders, may be sanctioned)
Increasing the Risk of Detection
Response No.	Response	How It Works	Works Best If...	Considerations
3	Increasing natural observation of graffiti-prone locations	Increases risk of detection	…graffiti occurs in low-visibility places	Efforts to improve lighting, reduce shrubbery and improve sight lines are most effective if the area is not isolated for long periods of time
4	Increasing formal observation of graffiti-prone locations	Increases risk of detection; information can aid investigations	…there are high-risk hot spots	Can use undercover personnel, other employees and electronic means; easily available; can be used on transit systems
5	Increasing electronic security	Increases risk of detection	…offenders are targeting large areas such as transit lots	Can be cost-effective; information can aid investigations
6	Conducting publicity campaigns	Increases risk of detection	…information is widely disseminated, and risk of detection increases	May contribute to increased graffiti reports and extend deterrent effect
Increasing the Difficulty of Offending
Response No.	Response	How It Works	Works Best If...	Considerations
7	Vandal-proofing graffiti-prone locations	Increases difficulty of applying graffiti (may also decrease graffiti visibility, reducing motives); some methods facilitate removal	…there are chronic graffiti locations	Can be expensive if done retroactively; offenders may change their methods or targets; may stimulate and challenge offenders; some measures, such as using grooved, slanted or heavily textured walls, or otherwise unappealing graffiti surfaces, can be very effective; may be unsightly
8	Controlling access to graffiti-prone locations	Makes it more difficult to access or vandalize properties	…property or operations can support design changes	May be expensive, but very effective; may best be incorporated into construction and planning designs; most effective if behavior is also regulated, such as in apartment complexes or transit stations
9	Focusing on chronic offenders	Increases risk of detection of prolific graffiti offenders	…there is a small group of chronic offenders	Requires offender identification and follow-up
Responses With Limited Effectiveness
Response No.	Response	How It Works	Works Best If...	Considerations
10	Controlling graffiti tools	Makes it more difficult for offenders to get paint or markers	…offenders are easily deterred, and merchants comply	Difficult to enforce; offenders can seek tools elsewhere; tools are easily accessed, transported and hidden
11	Channeling behavior into more acceptable activities	Intended to provide creative outlets	…offenders are artistically motivated	Graffiti boards and walls can be placed in highly visible locations; they appear to attract little vandalism; they may not attract the target group
12	Providing alternative activities and services	Intended to engage and provide supervision to youth	…offenders are jobless, bored or unsupervised	Difficult to identify and involve chronic offenders; programs may be expensives
13	Involving youth in developing programs	Intended to tap offenders' consciences and create ownership	…offenders are not highly invested in the graffiti lifestyle	Little deterrent effect for chronic offenders
14	Expanding applicable laws	Increases threat of punishment to deter offenders	…laws target particular problems	Can be time-consuming; offenders believe they won't get caught, so they don't worry about punishment
15	Holding parents accountable	Involves parents in controlling offenders' behavior	…offenders are juveniles	Offenders can often hide behavior from parents; parents may have little control
16	Increasing sanctions for offenders	Raises the risks associated with graffiti	…combined with investigative enforcement activities	Because apprehension of offenders is low, may have little deterrent effect; sanctions should be applied systematically; requires collaboration with prosecutors and judges; can consist of fines, community service or loss of driver's license
17	Applying new technologies	Reduces motives, deflects or diverts offenders, or increases detection	…the technology fits the problem	May be expensive and require substantial adaptation or experimentation
18	Establishing juvenile curfews	Increases the risk of detection for certain offenders	…graffiti typically occurs late at night, and offenders are juveniles	Difficult to enforce
19	Warning offenders	Intended to increase fear of detection	…detection is increased, and consequences are unpleasant	Apprehension of offenders is low; warnings of dire consequences may not be effective

Contents & Links

The Problem of Graffiti
Understanding Your Local Problem
Responses to the Problem of Graffiti
Summary of Responses
Endnotes
References
Related POP Projects

Summary of Responses to Graffiti

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Contents & Links