Do we give in to the vandals or do we discover ways to help them understand there is more to life than aerosol paint, hate, and, victimizing others? The net is full of vandalism alternatives and activities for young people. Send me links of a youth program or creative outlet you feel is an alternative to vandalism.
It is difficult to come up with alternative approaches to satisfy the graffiti vandal's need to paint, after the vandal has damaged thousands of dollars in property. The taggers, in my opinion, have nothing to offer and deserve fine and imprisonment. So does anyone painting or etching on another person's property without permission.
The so called "graffiti artists" want an outlet for their "art form." Rather than ask the City Council first for a public place to paint, they instead paint over public and private property. After the fact we hear "accommodation" arguments that amount to black mail. Do REAL artists work this way? Are you and I as tax payers supposed to sanction this kind of alternative approach? Doesn't it almost seem like the vandals enjoy the outlaw culture of the vandal? Would they participate for long in alternative approaches?
OK, so how do we as citizens of Pleasant Hill respond to the "graffiti artist's" need to express him or herself publicly? Is there a place for REAL artists to paint publicly and be recognized? Are we in any way bound to provide public walls for graffiti? I will ask this question at the next meeting with the city and see where it goes. (The Graffiti Task Force has elected NOT to pursue legal walls for the graffitically challenged. November 9, 1995))
As far as alternatives for taggers I suggest jail, fines, and compensation to property owners. As far as artists, if we can prove they painted property illegally they deserve the same as the tagger. I think we already have great outlets for local artists. We have high school art programs, independent shows and exhibits, a terrific junior college, a college of art in Oakland, several other Bay Area local colleges and universities with art programs. The vandals have the walls inside and outside their own homes! No one wants to interfere with art or the freedom of expression. What everyone does want is to prevent the equivalent of one feeble minded person from hollering "FIRE" in a crowded theatre. The pro-graffiti crowd is quick to criticize; however, in the final analysis their arguments in favor of public/private property desecration go no where and globally fall on deaf ears. They know this. They are not happy about it and that is just tough!
So what do we do with kids and adults who really want to spray paint tags in public places? What are we obligated as a society to provide in order to accommodate them? Once we do accommodate them, what is the obligation of the artist to paint only where painting is permitted (and will all so called artists comply? And....will it last?) I shudder when I read in the Art Crimes Introduction to Graffiti FAQ the following: "Tagging, the most primitive form of the graffiti art, consists of a writer's signature, usually done in permanent marker or spray paint. Artistically, tagging is the root of graffiti, and a skill a writer must become proficient at before becoming an accomplished graffiti artist."
Once we compromise with the spray paint "artists" what are we supposed to do with those that "scratch" their messages into the windows of local businesses and the windows of our commuter trains and bus stops? What do we do with those who carve their names into the sides of buildings and benches? When does the black mail end? When does this insanity end?
The following link is about an idea to use art for world peace. This seems like a good alternative to vandalism! Are you aware of any other such links? Let me know!
This link is about the Ogontz Avenue Art Company written by Pete Doyle. Pete went in to the city neighborhoods to use his art and computer skills to abate graffiti and make a difference to the kids.
The City does use alternative forms of punishment. Convicted vandals are required to join graffiti clean up details supervised by the police department. Interestingly enough, one graffiti vandal was asked to help with sign making for the Community Against Drug Abuse Festival in 1994. The youngster did a GREAT job and even had fun doing it. He has since turned a new leaf I'm told. Another vandal was sentenced to graffiti clean up in 1995 but refused to show up. This vandal is now being sought for violation of probation. Maybe he will be assigned to wash the walls inside County Jail? Our town is trying!
I expect this page to mature some. Right now the links are disorganized. What I need to do is separate what kids can do themselves versus what others are doing for the kids, etc. Explore the links and send me your ideas! This page is the place to link your youth programs and delinquency intervention programs to. Send me your URLs!
|Pleasant Hill| Graffiti Links|Graffiti in the News|Alternative Approaches|
|Art Crimes|Caltrans |Anti-Graffiti FAQ|
|Anti-Graffiti Vendors| I get Letters|
Alternative Approaches has been on the net since February 17, 1996.
The Anti-Graffiti Page / doug@dougweb.com
Last modified March 22, 1997
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