Graffiti Is a Crime!

The word graffiti is related to the Latin word graphium, which means to write. In prehistoric times, cave dwellers used ashes and berry juice to paint on cave walls. The ancient Egyptians decorated monuments with hieroglyphics that described the history of their nation. During World War II, American soldiers scrawled messages on their vehicles. The invention of spray paint gave rise to the modern graffiti vandal.

Making one's mark seems to be a universal need. However, as responsible people we need to find more socially acceptable ways to express ourselves. Marking or tagging someone else's property, without permission, is vandalism and is illegal. Any person who defaces property (of another) valued at less than $1,000 has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500. If the defaced property is valued at more than $1,000 the offense is a Class 6 felony punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 5 years or by confinement in jail for up to 1 year and a fine of $2,500. The value of the damage may be established by the repair or replacement costs.

COMMON MYTHS
ABOUT GRAFFITI

Graffiti is a victimless crime.

The victims of graffiti include property owners who incur tremendous expense in removing graffiti and taxpayers whose dollars are spent on graffiti removal on public buildings, highway structures, etc. Another group of victims is citizens who become uncomfortable and fearful in their own neighborhoods and whose properties often lose value.

Most graffiti is territorial in nature.

Although gangs often use graffiti to mark territories, the most prevalent form of graffiti is tagging. Tagging is done by young vandals who sometimes work in groups or crews. The primary goal for taggers is peer recognition. Taggers create stylized markings to obtain notoriety among their peers.

The connection between graffiti and other crimes is distant and remote.

Crew members, as well as gang members, often engage in shoplifting of supplies, act as lookouts, become involved in sniffing paint and glue, and write messages about drug transactions. In addition, confrontations among rival taggin crews can end in violence.

Graffiti offenders are mostly minorities coming to our community from other areas.

Graffiti vandals can be youngsters 7 or 8 years old or adults in their 20's and 30's. There is also no racial distinction among taggers. Taggers often come from middle and high income families.

Graffiti is everywhere and it is government and law enforcement's jobs to correct the problem.

Government and law enforcement efforts alone will not solve the problem. Community involvement, education, and beautification efforts are key components to reducing and preventing graffiti.

Solving the Graffiti Problem

READ IT!

Keep a look out for graffiti offenders and, if you see someone painting graffiti, report it immediately so he/she can be caught in the act.

Parents should be alert to the signs that their child is contributing to the graffiti problem.

• Have you noticed aerosol cans around the house?
• Have you noticed paint residue on your child's clothing?
• Does your child come home with paint on his/her hands?

If yes, you should confront your child immediately.

REPORT IT!

Once you see graffiti, it's important that it be reported to the Police Department immediately. Use the Fairfax County Police non-emergency number, 691-2131. Don't assume that someone else has or will report it. Also be sure to report any suspicious activity such as youngsters hanging around the rear of a shopping center or possessing spray paint.

REMOVE IT!

If it is your property, report it and then, after the police have seen it, remove it quickly. Studies indicate that quick removal is the best deterrent to graffiti. Be persistent. But, it requires a sustained commitment. Frequently, after an area is cleaned and the graffiti removed, the offenders return and scrawl new graffiti. Be prepared to return to paint out the graffiti as frequently as necessary until the graffiti vandals concede defeat. Eventually, usually after no more than three times, they will give up and you will have won back your neighborhood.

Establish a graffiti paint out in your neighborhood.

For a list of graffiti removal products and/or businesses or for more information call: