Southern Nevada Southern Nevada Graffiti CoalitionGraffiti Coalition J a n u a r y ~ F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1J a n u a r y ~ F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

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Protecting Nevada’s Historic Landmarks

In recent years there has been an increase in reported graffiti vandalism incidents to

protected natural landmarks in Southern Nevada. Incidents have been reported at

the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Big Falls and other locations at Mount

Charleston, the Valley of Fire, and most recently the Red Rock Canyon National

Conservation Area.

This type of graffiti is widely considered to be the most offensive and costly type of

graffiti that we face because it defaces and damages historical landmarks and the

damage often cannot be repaired.

A recent incident at Red Rock Canyon west of Las Vegas resulted in the permanent

defacement of Native American Pictographs estimated at more than 1,000 years old.

While attempts are being made to remove the graffiti it is feared that the fragile

etchings and pictographs are permanently damaged.

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, November ~ December 2011 Page 2

This case resulted in public outrage nationwide. Officials came to Southern Nevada from several

states to examine the damage and report on the progress of the ensuing investigation.

Officials from the Bureau of Land Management and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

formed a task force and were able to identify the suspect and make an arrest. The suspect, a 17 year

old Las Vegas teenager, now faces federal prosecution for violation of the Federal Archeological

Resources Protection Act of 1979 and faces up to five years in a federal prison and a $100,000 fine if

convicted.

If you locate

Graffiti at Red

Rock Canyon

National

Conservation

Area contact the

Bureau of Land

Management at

515-5000

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, November ~ December 2011 Page 3

SOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI GUIDE

To Report a Graffiti Vandal in Progress:

Call 911. Do not approach the vandal.

Be a good witness for responding officers.

Assist the officers with information if/when requested once the vandal is in custody.

To Request Graffiti Removal on Public Property:

Call the Southern Nevada Graffiti Hotline at 455-4509.

For Graffiti Removal on Non-Public Property:

For graffiti on utility boxes you can contact the company which owns the box.

For your safety do not attempt to remove graffiti from these boxes yourself.

Graffiti removal on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

If an arrest is made the owner may receive full restitution as ordered by the court.

If the graffiti is on property managed by a home owner's association the HOA is

responsible for removal of the graffiti. The HOA must also make the police report.

To Receive Free Graffiti Removal Supplies for your Neighborhood:

Contact the county or city where you reside. Often these supplies can be provided if

you and your neighbors are able and willing to remove graffiti in your neighborhood.

To Have a Police Report made:

Stop by your nearest police station.

You must own the property to complete a police report.

When a report is made a detective will be assigned the case for investigation.

To Report a Known Graffiti Vandal:

Contact your local police department.

To remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

(You may be eligible for a cash award if an arrest is

made and the damage exceeds $5,000.00)

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, November ~ December 2011 Page 4

DARE/RTC ANTI-GRAFFITI

ART CONTEST KICKS OFF

Each year the Regional Transportation

Commission (RTC) sponsors an anti-

graffiti art contest for local DARE

students. The art is collected by police

officers from the LVMPD’s Youth

Education Section and the winning

artist has his or her art placed on an

RTC public bus for one year.

The goal of the program is to teach

children that illegal graffiti vandalism

is not art and that true art can be

created by anyone.

This years contest has already kicked

off and we’ll be announcing the winner

soon.

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, November ~ December 2011 Page 5

American GraffitiAmerican Graffiti How other Communities in America are Fighting Graffiti.How other Communities in America are Fighting Graffiti.

This IssueThis Issue: :

Los Angeles County California Los Angeles County California

The greater Los Angeles area has always been a important location within the graffiti subculture in

America. Los Angeles has nearly the highest concentration of graffiti vandals in the country and the

resulting damage is in the tens of millions annually for L.A. (city) and L.A. County tax payers.

As a result the L.A. County Department of Public Works maintains an effective graffiti abatement

team and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has investigators assigned as graffiti

specialists. They conduct investigations on L.A. Counties public transit system and within the

unincorporated areas of L.A. County and the 88 incorporated cities they serve.

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, November ~ December 2011 Page 6

GRAFFITI VANDALISM FACT

Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition

Det. Scott Black (LVMPD), Director

Most graffiti vandalism is caused by vandals known as “taggers.” For most taggers the primary

motivation for placing graffiti is “fame,” or recognition from their peers.

In order to gain fame in the graffiti culture a tagger will usually adopt a “tag,” or name they will place

in graffiti form on public and private property. On occasion a vandal may use a number or other

symbol as their tag. It is important to the taggers that a unique tag be used so their damage can be

attributed to them. If the damage cannot be attributed to them they will not get the recognition, or

fame they desire.

Another form of fame is attention from law enforcement. While most taggers will attempt to avoid

arrest there have been documented cases of taggers seeking arrest because police attention increases

the vandal’s fame. The theory is that a tagger who is active enough to be investigated by law

enforcement is more deserving of fame in the graffiti world.

The Primary Motivation of Graffiti Vandals: “FAME”