Graffiti

I think Graffiti is vandalism and should not be allowed or encouraged. Graffiti can be art when appropriately expressed. Graffiti on public spaces and private properties isn’t appropriate and makes the space look gross.

Graffiti shown in bad ways are when it is done on other’s property that did not consent to it being put on their property and have to pay out of their pockets to fix damage to their property. “Although its artistic merits can’t be denied, graffiti is still in fact a form of vandalism. Artists tag both public and private property, which becomes costly for taxpayers and business and property owners.” (Graffiti as vandalism page 4). This isn’t fair to businesses, taxpayers, or property owners because it’s done without consent and at their expense.

Graffiti has cost billions of dollars in cleanup services because people think that destroying other’s property is “art”. “The cost for cleanup in the U.S. has not been documented definitively, but it is safe to assume that it is in the billions of dollars. Large cities typically budget more money toward graffiti removal. In 2006, Chicago budgeted $6.5 million while Omaha, Nebraska spends about $100,000 annually, according to graffitihurts.org.” (Graffitti as vandalism page 4). Graffiti should not to be put onto businesses, taxpayers, or property owners to keep paying to have graffiti removed.

Graffiti isn’t only a nuisance to businesses, taxpayers, and property owners all over the U.S it is also not appealing to look at as the public roams the town’s streets. Seeing graffiti-filled areas creates a bad image for the city and the area around it. “Any passerby in an urban cityscape has observed the colorful, provocative, illegal “eyesore” that is graffiti.” (Graffiti is Art Page 3). Graffiti artist have to start finding better, more appropriate, and pleasing places and ways to express their artistic abilities. Destroying public areas with “art” that makes it unappealing isn’t going to help the art community gain any publicity or fame.

Graffiti can also bring a wrongful image upon places and make it seem gang-related and crime-filled. “Graffiti sometimes has a wave effect, in which a heavily vandalized area will experience increases in other sorts of crimes as well. Gang-related crimes and violence are the crimes most commonly associated with graffiti.” (Crime Page 4). The graffiti community has brought this stereotype upon themselves because of the way they go about graffiti. They don’t do it appropiately in places where it’s going to be appreciated.

Graffiti is vandalism and should continue to be illegal. In the end vandalism can come in all sorts of ways but graffiti is the most commonly debated. Graffiti can be categorized as an art form but that does not mean that it should be allowed or legal. Graffiti could make a turn around to be seen as a more positive art but in order for that to happen graffiti artist need to stop defacing and destroying other’s property.

“2010.02 – ‘Photo of a decorated Dutch train’, sprayed / painted in graffiti art at the Central Station in Amsterdam – getoagged free urban photo, in public Commons domain; Fons Heijnsbroek, The Netherlands” by Amsterdam free photos & pictures of the Dutch city is marked with CC0 1.0.