NCJ Number
153662
Journal
Law Enforcement Tomorrow Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Police need to become aware of a new form of graffiti crime called tagging, which is committed by juveniles to obtain recognition for themselves and their groups, and to plan and develop proactive strategies to address it.
Abstract
Taggers use a variety of materials and tools to write their tag on any possible surface, particularly public property. Most taggers are juveniles ages 12-18. In the future, taggers may use a broader range of technology than they now do. Although tagging crimes in the year 2004 may not resemble the current ones, law enforcement must plan and develop strategies to approach the coming decade proactively. Possible actions include video cameras for citizen volunteers, school curricula presenting antigraffiti and antigang messages, cash rewards or tax credits for tips related to graffiti crimes, and restraining orders for graffiti offenders. If prevention, education, and community awareness against tagging vandalism is accomplished successfully, the graffiti crimes may not be a major problem in the future. 11 references