Why Graffiti Remains Illegal
Just because graffiti can and should be considered art doesn't mean that there are no negative effects. Graffiti is still illegal for a reason and unless these reasons change I believe that it should remain illegal. Though it is a legitimate art form the risk one takes to put up graffiti is still a very valid part of the medium itself. Graffiti wouldn't be the same and wouldn't hold the same weight if it wasn't illegal. However, whenever graffiti is put up the artist is taking away another persons right to a clean city, their right to property, and their right to in a lot of cases feel like they live in a safe nonthreatening environment. So before you go around spray painting and putting your art and beliefs out there, you should understand the risks and why graffiti was outlawed in the first place.
One of the biggest problems with graffiti is the cost of removal; after all graffiti is done without permission so it's not hard to imagine that many people won't want it in their cities. Taxpayers are responsible for paying all graffiti removal costs, and in cities like Chicago, IL that can be a big challenge. In 2006 Chicago spent $6.5 million on graffiti removal.
There is also a "wave effect" that seems to accompany graffiti. A wave effect is the increase in crime in highly graffitied areas. Crimes usually associated with graffiti are gang related, violence, loitering, littering, and other forms of property destruction. Theft of the actual items being used to do the graffiti is also a problem for many local businesses.
Because of the normal profile of graffiti artists, graffiti may also be looked at as a gateway crime; leading to drugs, alcohol, truancy, or gang activity.
Graffiti is also commonly seen as an eye sore in the community and can greatly decrease property value in areas where graffiti is common.
One of the biggest problems with graffiti is the cost of removal; after all graffiti is done without permission so it's not hard to imagine that many people won't want it in their cities. Taxpayers are responsible for paying all graffiti removal costs, and in cities like Chicago, IL that can be a big challenge. In 2006 Chicago spent $6.5 million on graffiti removal.
There is also a "wave effect" that seems to accompany graffiti. A wave effect is the increase in crime in highly graffitied areas. Crimes usually associated with graffiti are gang related, violence, loitering, littering, and other forms of property destruction. Theft of the actual items being used to do the graffiti is also a problem for many local businesses.
Because of the normal profile of graffiti artists, graffiti may also be looked at as a gateway crime; leading to drugs, alcohol, truancy, or gang activity.
Graffiti is also commonly seen as an eye sore in the community and can greatly decrease property value in areas where graffiti is common.
For more information on the negative effects graffiti has on society please click the button to the right.
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