Initiative To Remove Graffiti

Graffiti may show alliances between gangs, mark the scene of a crime, or commemorate the death of a beloved member. “In July 1985, the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City published a study showing widespread fear of theft and assault in downtown Brooklyn, Fordham Road in the Bronx, and Jamaica Center in Queens. Riders abandoned the subway in droves, fearing assault from lunatics and gangs” (Kelling).  Because of these events, the government started looking for solutions to eradicate graffiti. According to an article written by Edward and Lawson, Mayor Bloomberg makes a statement on his graffiti cleanup initiative back in July 2003. He says, “Graffiti is an invitation for criminal behavior and sends a message that we do not care about our City”. Although Graffiti can be seen as a positive form of art, society has been quick to stigmatize it as a delinquent act which has a negative effect on the neighborhood. Bloomberg insists banishing graffiti markings permanently in order to develop neighborhoods to a standard where people would want to live and businesses would want to locate and invest.

Works Cited

Kelling, George L. How New York Became Safe: The Full Story.city-journal.org. 2009. 

         Web. 25 Nov 2017.

Skyler, Edward, and Lawson Robert. “Mayor Bloomberg Updates Citywide Graffiti  Cleanup Initiative.” NYC.gov. July 16, 2003.web. 23 Nov 2017.