Positive Responses to Youthful Graffiti (From Preventing Juvenile Crime Conference Proceedings No. 9, 1991, P 177-184, Julia Vernon, Sandra McKillop, eds. -- See NCJ-135877)

• NCJ Number: 135896
• Author(s): M O'Doherty
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The extent of the problem of vandalism and graffiti is assessed for Gosnells in western Australia, and a strategy to reduce the problem is presented.

Abstract

A public meeting concerning vandalism was held in which 150 people representing community groups participated. The main topics of discussion were: current activities and programs to reduce vandalism; young people's pride in their public facilities; neighborhood watch; industrial watch; the need to set up a system for the problem; the cost to the public; community service orders; and graffiti offenders. Student councils from the four high schools were invited to a discussion session. In 1988-89, graffiti vandalism on Council buildings showed about $14,000 in insurance claims where paintwork had been removed from buildings and bus shelters. With the initiation of a seminar on graffiti and the spread of the word that the councils, police, and government are serious about supporting a suburban art project and making it legal, graffiti became nonexistent on council buildings except for one public building and one piece sprayed with antiracist slogans. This program turned illegal graffiti around by making it legal, safe, and supported by the graffiti artists.