An Inside Look at Graffiti

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Introduction

Many theories have been produced to suggest what motivates human behaviours and the

concepts of graffiti. Although many areas of these theories have been covered, this review

will focus around the idea of why graffiti is more prevalent in un-surveillanced areas and

not in areas where surveillance is provided. The main themes discussed will include the

laws in the specific area, the surveillance within different areas, theories including the

broken window and the main ‘hot spots’ for graffiti to occur.

Definition

Firstly, Deborah Wiesel (2002) describes graffiti as a wide range of markings, etchings and

paintings that deface public or private property. Other definitions outline that graffiti

includes initials, slogans and any of these can be done using a number of different

mediums. Including paint, spray paint, textas, pens, blades. There are many different types

of graffiti such as tagger graffiti, toilet/desk graffiti, gang related graffiti, political and protest

graffiti and urban art graffiti.

The Queensland Department of Justice (1998) states that there are two forms of

graffiti - graffiti vandalism (which is a crime committed mainly by young people as a

form of rebellion and risk-taking) and graffiti or aerosol art (which is legal and

commissioned by property owners).”

Graffiti comes under the umbrella of vandalism. Vandalism is broad and comes under a

number of categories. In relation to graffiti the definition best suited to this behaviour

outlined by Wilson (1990) is the act of Ideological vandalism which is the damage

committed in order to further a cause or to communicate a message, for example slogans.

History of graffiti

Gra...

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...e of Criminology.

Louis.E & Morgan.A (2009) Research in practice; Key issues in graffiti. Summary paper no.6. The Australian Institute of Criminology. Retrieved www.aic.gov.au

Ludwig.J & Harcourt.B (2006) Broken Windows: New Evidence from New York City and a Five-City Social Experiement. The University of Chicago Law Review.

Bandaranaike.S (2003). GRAFFITI HOTSPOTS: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OR HUMAN DIMENSION? The Australian Institute of Criminology. Retrieved from www.aic.gov.au

Victorian Government (2007). 2007 Graffiti Prevention Act. Retrieved from www.legislation.vic.gov.au

Weisel. D (2002) The Problem of Graffiti. Graffiti Guide No.9. Retrieved 4th May from http://www.popcenter.org/problems/graffiti/print/

Wilson, J.Q., & Kelling, G. (1982). Broken windows: The police and neighborhood safety. Atlantic Monthly March: 29-38.

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