Harmless Pranks Or Serious Misdemeanor?
Some odd incidents of graffiti damage are often reported to the police and are deemed as crimes because they have defaced property but have not caused permanent damage. In most odd graffiti incidents, the graffiti was the work of pranksters and not those who want to do serious harm.
True graffiti has been around for a long time. Since there was spray paint, there have been those who have used that spray paint to paint on buildings and other pieces of property that do not belong to them. While there is an increase of gang graffiti as well as hate graffiti that has many people as well as law enforcement concerned, odd incidents of graffiti are often looked upon as pranks.
Altering Sign Boards with Graffiti
One of the most commonly reported graffiti-related incidents is that of a defaced stop sign or a defaced street sign. There have been reports where pranksters have painted “Do Not” in front of the Stop on Stop signs. Fortunately, this does not fool anyone as most people better and can recognize a stop sign. In such a case, it would be far more dangerous for someone to actually remove the stop sign, which could very well end up causing an accident.
A Graffiti Make Over
Another odd graffiti incident is when statues are defaced, usually with mustaches, glasses and other drawn on oddities. These are often done with markers and are easy enough to remove. This type of odd graffiti incident is more prevalent around schools and colleges. Again, it is seen as a harmless prank.
Ramping up the Driveway with Graffiti
One incident that was reported in a local Chicago newspaper involved mustard being used in graffiti that was drawn on a driveway. Obscene words were written on the driveway in mustard and the police were called. The mustard was hosed away and the report clearly stated that no permanent damage was done. Ketchup has also been used in odd incidents of graffiti.
Harmless Pranks or Serious Misdemeanor- Knowing the Difference
While some odd incidents of graffiti may seem harmless and the result of kids with way too much time on their hands, other odd incidents are not that harmless. This is especially true if they involve gang symbols or even false gang symbols meant to cause fear in the neighborhood. Gang symbols are often the subject of much graffiti and this behavior is often imitated in areas where the gangs are not located. While this may seem like a prank, anything that is meant to cause fear is not seen as harmless.
Likewise is the case of hate symbols. Graffiti is usually performed with something that is permanently damaging, like paint. But any substance can be used as a way to send a threat or an intimidating message to someone that can cause duress.
While most odd incidents of graffiti are easily remedied, they do end up costing the taxpayers money. Taxpayers must pay each time a stop sign or some other type of sign is defaced. They have to pay for removal of graffiti from public places. Defacement of public or private property is often costly to both the owner f the property as well as the public, no matter how harmless the intent of the incident.