Comments on: More Graffiti?

By: Another Rick

Another Rick — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:58:50 +0000

I have to agree with the direction of this discussion. Graffiti is not always a sign of gang activity, although it may be a problem to some. There are other ways to determine if a community has a “gang problem”. To me, much of the graffiti around here is Art. Check out the Krog Street underpass on DeKalb Ave!

By: Tom L

Tom L — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:54:44 +0000

I have no love for tags on street signs.

By: Graffiti Task Force

Graffiti Task Force — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:01:19 +0000

To solve the graffiti problem, the legislature must allow SOME graffiti acts to be treated not as a crime but as a civil offense, much like a parking ticket. In other words, abolish the Hide-n-Seek privilege for graffiti vandals.

Next, a police investigator who is not an eye-witness may then offer credible testimony to identify in an informal hearing who is responsible for the graffiti. If a judge accepts the evidence, accountability for bad behavior follows.

Like a parking ticket, guilt brings a fixed fine. Restorative Justice is, however, an option. Certainty of punishment is its own deterrent.

There is no reason why cops should not testify as experts to identify graffiti vandals in court. Money talks. For those who don’t get the message, graffiti can become a very expensive habit.

By: CSD Mom

CSD Mom — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:33:51 +0000

My kids got a real kick out of the hippo graffiti over off Oak Grove Road and Lavista last week. The word “hippo” with the “o” being the head of a giant hippo.

By: Oakhurst Worker

Oakhurst Worker — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:33:22 +0000

agreed. although i prefer burners, or large pieces, to tags. stencils are always nice!

By: raq3000

raq3000 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:36:47 +0000

Thanks, NG, you took the words right outta my mouth. But I was also going to add that Decatur has always seemed so sterile with its lack of graffiti…I mean, I get that a tag on a store front is annoying to the shop owner but I’m always a sucker for a well-placed stencil. Good guerrilla art adds character.

By: "Naaman" Gibbets

"Naaman" Gibbets — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:00:49 +0000

I have a chuckle when I ride by the “you don’t even know no gangstas” between the MLK station and Georgia State.

By: Oakhurst Worker

Oakhurst Worker — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:25:08 +0000

Gibbets nailed it. It’s just tagging–the stylized scribbling of someone’s graff name on a wall or other surface. It’s been a thing for more than 40 years, big in Atlanta for more than 30, and right now it is pretty prevalent.
The bigger pieces are just more elaborate names written on walls, some of which are highly creative amazing and sometimes political/social.
None of these things have anything to do with gangs.
The closest thing I’ve ever seen to “gang” graffiti in Atlanta is just kids expressing their own version of neighborhood pride by writing “zone 6″ (ATL police precincts) and the like on stop signs and such. Not very threatening.