ANAHEIM COMMUNITY ANTI-GRAFFITI EFFORT California Park & Recreation Society 2010 Conference Anaheim Sporn Neighborhood Services Specialist Joe Perez Community Services Supervisor Inv. John Kirstenpfad Anaheim Police Department

Graffiti’s Effect on Communities Costly cleanup and prevention Contributes to decline of neighborhood Lost revenue for transit systems Reduced retail sales Decrease in property values Heightens fear of gang activity Nature of crime poses enforcement problems

The Problem with Graffiti March 2008 – call to action by Anaheim Police Department To combat graffiti and graffiti related crime in Anaheim Six subcommittees formed to address the issue: 1.Community Involvement 2.Protecting The Location 3.Schools 4.Youth Graffiti Prevention 5.Justice 6.Marketing

Types of Graffiti Major types of graffiti Gang Purpose: Territorial marker Style: Primarily Old English Tagger Purpose: “Artistic” Style: Individual/Crew signature Ideological Purpose: Conveys opinion Style: Political Conventional Purpose: None Style: “John Doe was here” Media used for graffiti Wide-tipped permanent markers Scratching or etching Stickers or slap tags Shoe polish Spray paint Stencils Markers

Identification of Gang Graffiti Number 13 - also written X3, XIII Old English block style writing Starts with a “V” for varrio/barrio Common to see “ST” for street Colors: blue, red, black “SUR” shortened form of Sureño “NOR” shortened form of Norteño Rosters – members present during vandalism - Usually 1 st person listed responsible for writing “187” – California penal code for murder Usually found in alleys, residential tracks, etc “187” – CA penal code for murder Gang graffiti “roster” Number 13 Old English block style “SUR”

Identification of Tagger Graffiti Subculture without ties to gangs Individual tagger nicknames Tagging crew names Stylized writing Usually in places of high visibility - Major streets - Highways - Public transportation - Hard-to-reach locations Never see a 13 or variation of it Often has artistic appearance Purpose of tagger graffiti - Notoriety for individual or crew Individual tagger graffiti Artistic appearance and stylized writing

Recognizing if a Child is Involved in Graffiti New interest in graffiti media Spray paint Markers Etching devices Involvement in theft, robbery Possession of blank packaging material New interest in specific clothing Missing spray paint Missing markers Blank shipping labels Wide-tip markers Spray paint and markers

Taggers come from every race and socio-economic background. Although most taggers are males there are also female taggers.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Our efforts are multiplied and more effective if we stimulate community involvement in preventing, reporting and eliminating graffiti. Creating Partnerships Adopt-a-block programs Educational materials to over 10,000 residents Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

MARKETING In an effort to continue on its path to success, ACAGE has developed a variety of tools to communicate with Anaheim residents and businesses. Anaheim.net, Anaheim Magazine, ACTV Community Meetings Quarterly e-newsletter Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

PROTECTING THE LOCATION Cleaning up graffiti and making locations less vulnerable to graffiti are major deterrents to vandals. Prevention by design Ease of reporting Improved response time and removal methods Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

JUSTICE By enhancing the effectiveness of the justice system as it relates to the prevention and prosecution of graffiti related crime, we seek to further discourage acts of graffiti. More than 600 arrests Additional training to patrol officers Diversion programs – CSP Civil restitution Education of schools & businesses Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

SCHOOLS Utilize the influence of schools to prevent graffiti, realizing that reaching out to students and parents is a key component to affecting future behavior. Parent education Model “Graffiti Free Zones” 50% reduction of graffiti Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

YOUTH Our effort to reach the youth of Anaheim with a consistent message that is incorporated into existing youth, faith- based and after-school programs. “Graffiti Hurts” curriculum Youth Leadership Council Staff awareness and prevention training Anaheim Community Anti-Graffiti Effort

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