Compose a response plan to the graffiti problem for the leadership of the city of London. You should focus on police activities, but you can mention civilian efforts, too.

The City of London is home to one of the world’s finest police departments. The city probably experiences just about any kind of problem that you can imagine. In this Case Study, we will examine a problem common to many cities: unwanted graffiti. It is ugly and expensive. Can you compose a response plan to help the leadership in London?

Task

Prompt: Compose a response plan to the graffiti problem for the leadership of the city of London. You should focus on police activities, but you can mention civilian efforts, too.

Your data source is the attached description of the problem written by an investigative committee in London. You should also research how other cities handle this problem.

Process

Step 1: Preparation

1. Review the CILO 3 rubric below that will be used to assess your answer.
2. Compose your response in any text editor (e.g. MS Word, or Google Docs) and spell check and grammar check it. Your Response Report should include:
   1. Your analysis of the problem based on the case study information and your insights,
   2. Several alternative solutions to the problem, and
   3. A comparison of the alternatives with the pros and cons of each.
3. Use APA citation and reference format to refer to your sources.

CASE STUDY #5: GRAFITTI IN LONDON
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CASE STUDY #5: GRAFITTI IN LONDON
FEBRUARY 2021
This case study contains excerpts from Graffiti in London: Report of the London Assembly
Graffiti Investigative Committee, May 2002.
Introduction
In the Association of London Government’s ‘Survey of Londoners 2001,’ 77% of Londoner’s
listed graffiti as a quality of life concern. The London Mayor’s ‘London Survey’ by MORI did
not, surprisingly, address the issue directly but 73% of respondents said that London was
not a clean city, and 52% listed crime as a major concern.
It is clear that graffiti is a problem that affects ALL London Boroughs, not just those
situated in ‘inner’ London. South London appears to be particularly blessed or cursed by
graffiti depending upon your point of view. It is also clear that the amount of graffiti is
growing. Some respondents to our investigation signaled that their spending on
removing graffiti has tripled over the last five years. Our standards for combating illegal
graffiti are way below the best practice internationally. Our standards also vary
dramatically across London.
Graffiti has a negative effect on the lives of the thousands of Londoners who travel in
vandalized, unpleasant buses and trains, and live in areas blighted by graffiti. Its presence
often coincides with other environmental problems such as abandoned cars, litter, and fly
posting. Graffiti also spreads fear and can be offensive.
The Cost of Graffiti
We estimate the total cost of graffiti in London to be over £100 million per annum. In this
report, we have identified expenditure by London Boroughs and transport companies of
approximately £13 million per annum. This figure rises to £23 million if all the etched glass
on the underground is replaced, but does not include costs to businesses, utilities, rail
companies, and homeowners. Costs go beyond just removal costs and include damage to
economic development and loss of capital values to people’s homes. We were unable to
identify accurately these additional costs, but we estimate that when they are taken into
CASE STUDY #5: GRAFITTI IN LONDON
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account, the cost of graffiti to the London economy each year exceeds £100m. This is
money lost to productive expenditure and investment in our public services. Graffiti
involves an unacceptable cost to Londoners.
The History of Graffiti in London
There are various opinions as to how graffiti developed and arrived in the UK. The practice
of writing and drawing on walls dates back to ancient times, but modern graffiti emerged
on the streets of New York in the seventies. Since then it has evolved with the growth of
hip-hop music culture which emerged as a response to American ghetto life. Graffiti
came to the UK as the popularity in hip-hop culture grew and as corporate America
recognized that hip-hop was a marketable commodity. Our evidence shows that graffiti
in the UK has grown in popularity and status particularly with young people. It is seen by
young people as a way of providing an opportunity to acquire fame and respect amongst
their peers.
Types of Graffiti
Tagging is the most common type of graffiti. The tag is a type of signature. It is a way of
saying ”I was here” and is used in some cases to mark out territory. Tagging on housing
estates is predominantly carried out by young people in the age range of eight to
eighteen. Murals or pieces (as they are known by graffiti writers) are the more artistic
forms of graffiti. These usually contain large complex lettering. As various organizations
have become more effective in graffiti removal, spray can graffiti has been displaced by a
new type of highly damaging graffiti known as etching. The etching is very common on buses
and trains and involves the scratching of glass with a drill bit or sharp implement. Etching
has become a serious problem for transport organizations and they have expressed grave
concerns about the increasing costs of replacing the etched glass. In some cases graffiti is
highly offensive and inflammatory, being used as a form of attack against an individual or
group of people.
Profile of a Graffiti Writer
Evidence submitted from boroughs, businesses, and world cities point to the majority of
graffiti being carried out by young males between the ages of 11 and 16. However, the
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evidence also makes clear that a lot of graffiti writing is done by those in their thirties and beyond. Some hold down respectable jobs. It appears from our evidence that tagging is predominantly carried out by younger people in their early teens, whilst the more artistic types of graffiti are carried out by older people. People write graffiti for a variety of reasons, the main motivation being the achievement of fame and notoriety amongst peers.
What the Graffiti Writers Say
The graffiti writers interviewed questioned why there has to be a war between themselves and the authorities. They wondered why they are portrayed as hardened criminals. They acknowledged the fact that graffiti is seen as vandalism but were annoyed at being categorized the same way as those who commit rape, robbery, drug dealing and murder. They highlighted the positive aspects of graffiti that are ignored by statutory authorities, such as projects where graffiti has been used in mentoring young people, and various advertising and art commissions, which provide opportunities for employment.
Graffiti is Illegal
There is a generally held opinion that the courts and law enforcement agencies do not regard graffiti as a serious offense and those apprehended are not given sentences that act as a deterrent to others. Magistrates can impose fines of up to £5,000 and sentences for up to 6 months (12 months in some circumstances) for the offense of criminal damage.
Conclusion
London has tolerated illegal graffiti as inevitable for far too long, but we do not have to live with it and graffiti must not become an acceptable part of our urban environment.
Prompt: Compose a response plan to the graffiti problem for the leadership of the city of London. You should focus on police activities, but you can mention civilian efforts, too.