To report graffiti, call 385-8807.

PROFILE OF A GRAFFITI VANDAL

• 11 to 26 years old

• Mostly high school age, 13 to 18 years old

• Majority is male

• All ethnic backgrounds

• All economic and social backgrounds

• Often very organized

• View tagging as an extreme sport rather than a crime

• Computer literate

• Most are discouraged from further activity after first SERIOUS police contact

• Those not discouraged move on to more serious crimes (carjacking, burglaries, arson, etc)

• Associates with skaters, party crews, ravers and sometimes gangs

• Low self-esteem or looking to belong

• Believe this is a freedom of expression (1st Amendment)

• Looking for notoriety or fame (egotistic)

• Extreme loyalty to other taggers

• Views police as the adversary in a game

TOOLS USED BY GRAFFITI VANDALS

Spray Paint
Shoe Polish
Permanent Markers
Acrylic Paint
Paint in a can
Items or Substances to etch windows

TYPES OF GRAFFITI VANDALISM

 

Communicative
Hate crime
Gang
Tagger
Artistic

Studies have shown that if graffiti is removed within 12 hours after it is applied, there is only a 5% chance of re-occurrence.

Education is the key to combating this CRIME. We're all in this together, Merced.