Graffiti 
 
 

There are a lot of web sites with pictures and information about graffiti on them. However, many of these websites try to portray graffiti as an acceptable form of expression. It is not. It is vandalism and it is a criminal offence.

There are a lot of web sites about graffiti. Many of these websites say that graffiti is an acceptable form of expression while others are against it. In order to understand the debate concerning graffiti, we must answer the following question:
 
 
Is graffiti art or is it vandalism?
 
Any form of written self expression on other people's property (private or public), which is done without permission is vandalism. Vandalism is a criminal offence. For example, think of your favorite cartoons or of famous artists such as Leonardo Davinci (Realistic), Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Impressionist), Henri Rousseau (Surrealistic), Vincent Van Gogh (Post Impressionist), Paul Klee (Primitive), Pablo Picasso (Cubism, Expressionism) and Andy Warhol (Pop Art). If any of these famous artists had painted their work on private or public property without permission, it would be considered vandalism, no matter how beautiful or artistic it looked.
 
Graffiti is a style of self expression. It is new, it is modern. Some of it's wonderfully creative while some of it's not. For example, tagging is not about being creative. It is about someone wanting to get their signature 'out there'. The writer learns to write his name or tag very quickly so as not to get caught. Is this art? Most people would say it's not.
 
Graffiti done on canvas and other materials, shown in exhibitions, on-line (not photographs of illegal writing), painted on walls (murals) with permission, done for commercials, on clothing, in film, for advertising and in many other forms which are not illegal, can be considered art. Whether one likes it or not, well, that is another matter. Not everyone likes all art. Check out some of the great artists. Do you like everything they did?
 
Graffiti can be art. It can also be vandalism. It depends on how one chooses to express one's self.

 

On-Line Anti-Graffiti Information

Many people have done a lot of work to understand the issues. We refer you to several of them for your research. The following sites are sources of information on graffiti and the measures police forces and communities are taking to stop graffiti vandalism. While care has been taken to find web sites with acceptable and relevant information, we cannot take responsibility for the content on these web sites.
 

http://www.police.saskatoon.sk.ca/index.php?page_id=4&sub_page_id=42&loc=programs/graffiti.php 

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/graffiti/

http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Engineering/Graffiti.asp

http://www.halifax.ca/corporate/Graffiti/index.html

http://www.toronto.ca/graffiti/abatement_program.htm#involved

http://www.vandalwatch.citysoup.ca/Graffiti/default.htm 

http://www.answers.com/topic/graffiti 

http://www.halifax.ca/corporate/Graffiti/WhatisGraffiti.html 

http://www.graffiti.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/cpd/ll_graffiti.nsf/pages/graffiti_faqs 

http://www.sanantonio.gov/graffiti/crime.asp?res=1024&ver=true

http://www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page1079.aspx

http://thinkresponsibly.ca/public/graffiti_files/index.html

This site is an excellent source of information. It's posted by the City of Calgary Animal and By Law Services.
 
Reports and Articles
 
 
The following articles are courtesy of Blue Line Magazine, Canada's National Law Enforcement Magazine. Their web address is http://www.blueline.ca/articles/
The United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs website has several good publications in the Youth in Action Series. Check their website for a complete listing of publications at www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications . Recommended readings include:


 
 
Other Sources of Information:
 

http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/environment/graffiti.pdf

Article: Graffiti in London: Report of the London Graffiti Investigative Committee, May 2002 

This 144 page report considers how to prevent and reduce graffiti in London, England. Includes best practice information and data. Investigates culture and motivations of graffiti writing. Looks at graffiti prevention practices in London and other parts of the world. This pdf was found on the http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/environment website.

http://www.london.ca/CleanGreen/graffiti_management.html

Good website to learn about anti-graffiti programs in London England.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/crime/gfen/literaturereviewofgraffitireport 

The Literature Review of Graffiti Report briefly describes the impact of graffiti on public perceptions quality of life including security on public transport. It addresses vandalism, graffiti and environmental nuisance. A downloadable pdf is available on the website.
 

 
We welcome articles and web site links which are informative on graffiti issues from understanding the nature of graffiti to sharing solutions for communities.
 
Our goal is to provide information which is appropriate for students of all ages and all members of every community. Articles, information or website links which contain inappropriate language, images or content will not be posted.
 
To post your article, information or web site link please Contact Us . Thank you for helping us to advance student learning and understanding.