September 2010September 2010

SSOUTHERN OUTHERN NNEVADAEVADA

GGRAFFITI RAFFITI CCOALITIONOALITION MCMXCVMCMXCV

Southern Nevada United Against Graffiti VandalismSouthern Nevada United Against Graffiti Vandalism

Controlling Access to Graffiti Implements:Controlling Access to Graffiti Implements: A Important Element in the Management of Graffiti VandalismA Important Element in the Management of Graffiti Vandalism

Approximately half of all arrests for graffiti vandalism related offenses in Southern Nevada are of juvenile offenders younger than 18 years of age. In an effort to control juvenile access to graffiti implements Clark County and the city of Las Vegas have restricted possession and sales of these items to adults. It is also required that retail stores keep the items secured and locked up to prevent theft. Implementation of these ordinances have been effective and the vast majority of our local retail stores enthusiastically comply. As a result another hurdle exists for juvenile graffiti vandals. Mere possession of these restricted items by juveniles who do not have proper authorization is a criminal violation.

If you observe unsecured Spray Paint or Large Markers in a Retail Store in Las Vegas or Clark County you can request that the Items be secured. Non-compliant businesses can be reported to the Police and are subject to Warning or Criminal Prosecution

SOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI COALITION Page 2

GRAFFITI RESOURCE GUIDE

To Report Graffiti in Progress: Call 9-11. Do Not Approach the Vandal.

Be a Good Witness for Responding Officers.

To Have a Police Report Made: Stop by your closest Police Station. Reports can only be made by the owner of the Property.

Your case will be Assigned to a Detective for investigation.

To Request Graffiti Removal on Public Property: Call the Southern Nevada Graffiti Hotline at 455-4509.

For HOA Properties: Contact your HOA for graffiti removal.

To Request Graffiti Removal on Public Utility Boxes: Nevada Energy: 402-2021, Las Vegas Valley Water District: 870-2011. For other Utility Equipment: Contact the Company which owns the

Equipment and request graffiti removal and repair. For Traffic Control Boxes: Call your City/County for Assistance.

Local Air Force Heroes Restore Vandalized SignLocal Air Force Heroes Restore Vandalized Sign

Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast section of the Las Vegas Valley. It is one of our nations largest and most important military installa-tions. Each year military pilots and support personnel come from around the world to train at Nellis.

In the vicinity of Nellis AFB there are several signs and landmarks which pay tribute to our military personnel and thank them for their service.

Recently local graffiti vandals defaced one of these signs and Air Force personnel from Nellis went into action.

SOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI COALITION Page 3

The Fully Restored Sign as it Appears TodayThe Fully Restored Sign as it Appears Today

The dedicated USAF personnel of Nellis AFB immediately took decisive action to repair the sign and restore it to it’s original condition.

Graffiti vandals will often target important symbols, such as this pro-military American flag sign. This is because they want to maximize the impact of their crime and offend those who see it.

We thank these USAF members for their efforts and for sending the message to graffiti vandals that they will not stand by while symbols of patriot-ism and support for our military are defaced.

SOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI COALITION Page 4

SOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI COALTIONSOUTHERN NEVADA GRAFFITI COALTION Det. Scott Black (LVMPD), DirectorDet. Scott Black (LVMPD), Director

GRAFFITI VANDALISM FACTGRAFFITI VANDALISM FACT

Graffiti vandals are not artists. They have no desire to place works of art on display for public view. They are criminals. Their sole intent is to promote themselves or their cause by defacing and damaging the property of others.

In an effort to maximize the damage they cause some vandals will utilize various types of acid to place their graffiti. The reason for this is the acid will severely damage glass and windows which results in costly repairs and may even require complete replacement.

As a result of this costly damage these cases are aggressively investigated by the police and when arrests are made it usually results in felony prosecution. This is because acid damage is more costly than graffiti placed with spray paint and other marking devices.

In one recent case a local barber shop was vandalized with acid graffiti. Detectives arrested the vandal two weeks later and charged him with over $30,000 in damage. The vandal was successfully prosecuted and faced full restitution, heavy fines, and incarceration.