For talented artists like Banksy and Jean Michel Basquiat, graffiti serendipitously provided a counterculture introduction to the legitimate art world. But it’s vanishingly rare that cheeky visionaries convert crimes to collectibles. Most unauthorized graffiti is considered vandalism and carries a significant financial impact, costing property owners and municipalities an estimated $15 to $18 billion each year to clean up and repair.
’Tagged’ buildings not only sustain damage themselves, they in turn damage budgets, reputations, neighborhoods and businesses. Graffiti is an urgent problem that owners and managers must address quickly. It’s uniquely damaging, so it’s important to know what to do if your property is victimized, and how to prevent this costly crime.
Why is graffiti so damaging?
Properties affected by graffiti can experience property value declines of up to 15%, with some estimates rising to as much as 25% when the graffiti is offensive or hateful in nature. Unaddressed graffiti also signals a lack of attention and care to a property, which may prompt further defacement as well as additional vandalism, trespassing and theft. Graffiti also lowers property values for neighbors and the wider community.
Who is at risk?
Locations with lax security, poor lighting, easy access, high visibility and heavy foot traffic are tempting for graffiti vandals. However, no property is truly safe against determined criminals. The iconic Hollywood sign, high water towers, oil tankers, freeway signs and bridges have all been hit with graffiti. Perpetrators prefer the cover of darkness, striking most often between 8 p.m. and midnight.
What should I do if graffiti strikes my property?
Begin cleaning and restoration immediately, ideally completing the work within 24 to 48 hours; many municipalities have rules specifying removal within certain timeframes. Rapid removal reduces the chances that the property will be defaced again because perpetrators desire attention and visibility. If their effort and risk are rapidly nullified, they are likely to seek alternative future locations. Further, quick action disrupts the curing process; fully cured paints and stains are difficult to dislodge. Professional assistance is best to attain complete removal without damaging the surface.
How do I prevent graffiti?
Good security, bright lighting and a vigilant community dramatically reduce the likelihood your building will be targeted. Some businesses apply anti-graffiti coatings, which either sacrifice themselves to lift graffiti quickly or bond poorly with graffiti materials. Clear coatings, anti-graffiti laminates and vinyl wraps also deter graffiti vandals.
Some forward-thinking owners and managers leverage graffiti deterrence and creative design concepts to beautify and engage the community. Mural Arts Philadelphia, launched in 1984, is a terrific example of this approach. City officials, struggling to deter rampant graffiti, hired local street artists to create collaborative murals that decorate public areas with vibrant color. With over 4,000 murals and counting, Philadelphia now has more murals than any other city in the world.
