NCJ Number
164555
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 65 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 11-15
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Although much of the graffiti in the United States, both urban and rural, contains messages of hatred, racism, and gang warfare, public attitudes toward graffiti tend to fluctuate between indifference and intolerance.
Abstract
At the national level, the criminal justice system has yet to adopt a uniform response to graffiti and individuals who create so-called street art. While some jurisdictions combat the problem aggressively, others do very little or nothing at all to punish offenders. To a large degree, society's inability to decide on a focused response to graffiti stems from the nature of the offense, one that falls into a gray area between crime and public nuisance. For young people who may not be able to express themselves through other media, graffiti represents an easily accessible and effective way to communicate with a large audience. Modern graffiti generally falls into one of three categories (junk graffiti, gang graffiti, and tagging). Junk graffiti messages are not gang-related but often have obscene, racist, or threatening themes. Tagging, once viewed as a nonviolent alternative to more threatening gang activities, is now considered an entry-level offense that can lead to more serious crimes, including burglary and assault. In addition, tagging often results in direct gang affiliation. The link between graffiti and the gang subculture is examined with respect to communication and territoriality. The threat posed by graffiti to neighborhoods and society in general is addressed, and several community responses to graffiti are reported. 17 endnotes and 2 photographs