Gang billboards? Not on my street!

Everyone has seen it on overpasses, fences and buildings, graffiti and gang tagging are problems that are often overlooked. As tag artists in the Denver area scar property, taxpayers spend over $800,000 annually on graffiti removal. According to Detective Ray Ruybal, the majority of these ‘taggers’ who vandalize property are kids between 12 and 18 years of age. Police are on patrol for these paint-spreading vandals, but there are things that property owners can do to prevent the crime. As Detective Ruybal explains, juveniles who commit vandalism crimes like spray-painting are usually sentenced to mild community service. Even for multiple offenses, consequences for tagging and graffiti are seldom more severe than 20 to 40 hours of community service. After the age of 18, the punishment becomes more severe and can include jail time and fines of up to $1000. Ruybal says despite numerous arrests in the past year, the reason for the light punishment of juveniles is that there is simply nothing else to do with the young offenders. Space in the detention center is reserved for more severe crimes. Often the teenagers do not show up for their community service, and are reprimanded no further. With this incredible lack of consequence for such property crimes, it is often business and homeowners who fend for themselves. However, there are options. The Denver Partnership Against Graffiti removes unwelcome marks at no cost to property owners. The best way to remedy the problem, however, is to prevent it. Foliage such as cacti and rose bushes, are good deterrents, as well as security lights and perimeter fences. Ruybal asks that people report the crime as soon as possible; this way officers know where and when to look for offenders. He also stated that most crimes occur when teenagers are walking to or from school, and after dark between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.According to the Denver Partnership Against Graffiti, once the graffiti has been reported it can usually be removed within a few days. A signature from the owner of the property is required, and, by calling 720-865-7867, or visiting http://www.denvergov.org/DenverPartnersAgainstGraffiti anyone can make reports about graffiti on public property. There is also a paint bank available for citizens to pick up paint for public property like dumpsters and benches. The paint bank is open Monday through Friday, and is located at 1390 Decatur St. Arrangements for pickup must be made in advance. The city of Denver has an ordinance that prevents retailers from selling spray paint to anyone under 18. Regulations like this do not exist outside the city limits, so it is easy enough for youngsters to get their hands on the paint by journeying to a neighboring city. Spray paint is not the only kind of graffiti. Paint pens, permanent markers, and sharp objects are also used to deface property both public and private. There is a difference between graffiti and tagging. According to Ruybal, tagging is something done by gangs in order to claim their territory, and gain recognition among peers. Tags are easy to read and appear in areas of high visibility. Graffiti is the more artistic version of this vandalism, it takes more time to complete a piece, therefore is usually limited to places that are less visible where the offender is less likely to be caught. Graffiti is also harder to read and is not necessarily meant to claim territory. Detective Ruybal and The Denver Partnership Against Graffiti agree that the best way for citizens to help keep the city clean is to report graffiti and tags immediately. Motion detecting lights are inexpensive and simple to install in places that are not illuminated, like alleys and driveways. Vegetation and fences prevent taggers from getting close to exposed walls that they would otherwise use as their personal billboard.