Boys, 14 and 15, held in drive-by Police: Teens shot at rival taggers

LA Daily News ^ | 11/08/2006 | SUE DOYLE

[BeAllYouCanBe]

http://www.zewall.com/

This is just one site of these people who think they are artists?????

[BeAllYouCanBe]

http://www.bakersfieldgraffiti.us/parents_of_tagger.htm

Actually the site above is a very good explanation of the phenomena.

Tagger crews, unlike gangs, are usually not territorial, and individual taggers will display their "art" wherever they find a clean wall or window. They are usually fond of a newly painted wall where previous graffiti has been freshly removed. Due to the danger of being observed or arrested, most individual taggers will apply their trade in the hours between midnight and dawn. Of special interest to taggers are billboards or tops of areas of high buildings where their tag can be see for a long distance. Removal is difficult in these locations and the tags are likely to stay up for a long time, becoming "landmarks."

Tagger graffiti is increasing at an alarming rate. It is appearing in even the most affluent neighborhoods and business districts. Taggers are becoming more aggressive and see areas that are monitored by police and private security as challenges. Millions of dollars in property damage caused by graffiti represent a tremendous burden on property owners and business owners. The sad fact is that most of these crimes are unreported and citizens are reluctant to get involved.

Graffiti has an economic effect on the communities that allow it to proliferate. Businesses suffer from a drop in sales because customers are reluctant to come into areas where they are afraid of crime. Property owners find it hard to sell and rent property and potential buyers and renters go elsewhere for what appears to be a safer neighborhood. It is important that more citizens get involved. Take photos of the graffiti in your neighborhood and submit the photos to the police department. Unfortunately, many graffiti cases are unsolved and not prosecuted.