Stopping graffiti is not something that can be done overnight or with the aid of one person--it takes time, patience, and the help of an entire community.
To some, graffiti may seem like an art of expression, but to others, graffiti signifies crime and violence. While most people think that graffiti is not a big deal, most states give graffiti artists more than just community service for defaming buildings and structures. Remediation of a graffiti problem is something that takes times, patience, and the help of an entire community.
Instructions
1. Learn about graffiti. Graffiti can be done by virtually anyone with the intent to defame a building or structure. Although some types of graffiti are employed to showcase art, it's usually done by gang members with codes that symbolize acts of violence and territorial markings. Nonetheless, educating yourself to recognize the types of graffiti is the first step to remedying the problem.
2. Raise awareness of the types of graffiti in your area to prevent and stop graffiti from happening. Making flyers and having meetings with other members of the community are ways of raising awareness of the issue to stop or prevent a growing problem. If others are both equally aware of the problem and concerned, they will also be more inclined to aid in the fight against graffiti in the community. Moreover, it is also pertinent to inform the graffiti artists of the crime that they are committing. Make graffiti artists aware of the punishment that comes along with defaming buildings and structures by posting flyers and signs that state the law and punishment that comes along with defaming property on or near graffiti strickened areas.
3. Remove graffiti from affected areas. Removing graffiti can deter people from adding or starting graffiti. Get together groups from the community to wash or paint over graffiti ridden areas and structures. If graffiti artist see that their graffiti is continually removed, they will probably be less likely to repeat the process.
4. Do not simply ignore graffiti. Report graffiti to your local authorities in the event that new graffiti returns or if you catch someone defaming a building or structure with graffiti. Form a neighborhood or community watch program to ensure that there will always be someone looking for graffiti and its artist. Always remember to remain consistent and incessant when reporting graffiti. This will guarantee that local authorities will take an interest in the problem.
