Is About an organization called Graffiti Hurts, and shows people how to deal with the graffiti problems.....................This website is againts graff!!!...........Peace!

If u wanna express ur self towards these people, let them know!!!...Cuz we know this people is totally wrong!!! But in a way, they help, cuz they let us know wassup with the laws...

Graffiti Hurts-Care for Your Community was developed by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. through a grant from Sherwin-Williams Company, producers of the Krylon brand of aerosol spray paint. This program is dedicated to raising the awareness of individuals, groups and organizations from every part of American life about the harmful effects of graffiti vandalism. At the heart of Graffiti Hurts is a set of four basic goals:

The term graffiti derives from the Greek word graphein (meaning "to write"). Graffiti (singular graffito), meaning a drawing or scribbling on a flat surface, originally referred to those marks found on ancient Roman architecture. Similar in origin, the word vandalism comes from the name of 5th century warriors, the Vandals, who destroyed property and terrorized the Roman Empire. Although examples of graffiti have been found at such sites as Pompeii, the Domus Aurea of Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) in Rome, Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli and the Maya site of Tikal in Mesoamerica, graffiti is usually associated with 20th century urban environments. Modern graffiti now ranges from simple marks to complex compositions.

Latrinalia-bathroom markings-typically includes signatures, proclamations of love, witty comments, graduation announcements or political/social commentary.

Folk Epigraphy-political or social commentary-may arise from sudden emergency situations (e.g. riots) or in response to concurrent political legislation and party politics. Although concerned with politics, the groups that produce this type of graffiti generally comprise some subcultural element and may make wide use of symbols to further internally relevant quests for power and solidarity.

Hip Hop Graffiti-the work of groups comprised of both adults and youths to carry-on a tradition of subway graffiti that originated in New York during the late 1960s.

Increased resident anxiety, economic decline and the escalation of more serious crimes results when graffiti is left unattended in communities. The fear associated with graffiti is more pervasive and damaging to communities than the number of associated criminal acts.

The highest rates of vandalism occur in areas with obsolete facilities, poor street lighting, overgrown lots, low community morale and very little pedestrian traffic.

Etching (the scratching of metal or glass) is eight times more expensive to restore than traditional spray-paint graffiti and, in recent years, has become the most common form of vandalism for many urban cities. If graffiti markings are left up for seven days, there is a 100% chance of additional graffiti in the community.

There are more than six types of graffiti. They include latrinalia, folk epigraphy, gang graffiti, hip hop graffiti, racial graffiti and satanic graffiti. The media perpetuates graffiti production through photographs, references to "art" and by interviewing the vandals.

Institutional Vandalism: knowingly defacing the specified institutions, or intending to deface while in possession of spray paint, broad-tipped marker or other marking device and while on the premise of a church, synagogue or other place of worship such as a cemetery, mortuary or other burial ground, school or community center.

Vehicle Code: whenever any person licensed under this code is convicted of a graffiti violation, the court may, unless mandatory revocation is required by the department, suspend motor vehicle privileges for up to 30 days (1st conviction), 60 days (2nd conviction) and up to 6 months (3rd or subsequent conviction).

Amount Reduction and/or Increased Penalty: reduces the required damage amount caused by acts of vandalism substantially to allow imprisonment, felony conviction and/or stiff restitution fines for graffiti markings that previously may have been considered a misdemeanor offense.

Tag Equivalent to a Fingerprint: any graffiti or photograph of graffiti may be admitted into evidence for the purpose of proving that the writing was made by the defendant.

Parental Responsibility: victims of willful and tortious acts of a child(ren) may initiate a civil action against the parent(s) to recover compensation. Under this provision, the parent/guardian can either be fined, ordered to restore the property to its original condition or provide restitution; whichever deemed appropriate by the court.

Zero-Tolerance Zones: city or county designates certain areas as zero-tolerance zones. In these zones, property owners are obligated to keep their property free of graffiti. Upon notification, graffiti must be removed by either the owner or the municipalities within 24-48 hours.

Graffiti Removal from Vacant Property: the owner of any vacant property must remove any graffiti which is visible from a public street within 14 days of notice. After 14 days, a violation can be issued. The penalty for not removing the graffiti ranges from $100-300 per violation.

Required Graffiti Removal from Private Property: the owner of any private property including houses, apartments, stores, cars, trucks, pay phones, news boxes, newsstands, dumpsters and vending carts shall remove graffiti that is visible within 12 days of notice. If the property is not cleaned, a violation can be issued. The penalty ranges from $100-$300 and the cost of graffiti removal by the city or county.