Graffiti 101: Understand graffiti and what to do about it

We spotted this graffiti on Broadway recently. The city’s Gateway Crimes Task Force is trying to help educate residents about the different types of graffiti and how to deal with each.

With a new focus on graffiti removal in Kansas City neighborhoods, the city has produced a guide to explain the motives behind various types of graffiti. The city’s Gateway Crimes Task Force is making graffiti removal equipment available to neighborhoods.  At the same time, the task force is offering these tips for dealing with ongoing graffiti problems.

  • Call the police if you see graffiti being created. The Kansas City Police gang squad investigates graffiti. Residents can report it by calling 911 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
  • Take a photo of graffiti you find on your property. It’s important to remove graffiti quickly, but first take a photo to share with police.
  • Contact the city if you need help with removal. The city can offer paint, or your neighborhood group may be able to borrow graffiti removal equipment. You can also get training. More information is available at www.KCMO.org/gateway or by calling 3-1-1.

The task force is also educating residents about the various types of graffiti and the motivation behind them. According to its brochure on graffiti, understanding the motives behind graffiti can help neighbors control and perhaps prevent it.

Over the next three days, the Midtown KC Post will feature photos and descriptions of three different types of graffiti: artistic graffiti; tagger graffiti; and gang-related graffiti.

We’d love to hear about what your neighborhood is doing to combat graffiti.

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Gateway Crimes Task Force focuses on graffiti 

 

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