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Tag, you’re it
How to deal with graffiti
You may be only mildly interested to learn that property owners and government entities in the U.S. spend an estimated $10 billion - $12 billion annually to clean up graffiti. Find some spray paint on your building, though, and the problem will grab your full attention. There are steps you can take to prevent this vandalism or deal with it when prevention doesn’t work.
Turn on the lights
"Taggers," as graffiti vandals are called, may be less-inclined to target an area that is well-lit. Sensor lights add another level of deterrence by calling attention to activity in the area.
Don’t provide a "canvas"
An uninterrupted, smooth surface is very attractive to graffiti vandals. Plant shrubs and bushes in front of walls to interrupt the surface and make it harder to access. Fences with openings (think chain-link and lattice) and walls with rough surfaces also make for less desirable targets. Graffiti doesn’t stand out well on dark backgrounds, so if you remodel, keep this in mind.
Beat them to the punch
If you have a surface that’s calling out to vandals, consider having a mural painted on it. Taggers are less likely to paint over other artists’ works.
When attacked, act swiftly
The sooner you remove graffiti, the less likely graffiti vandals will return. Put yourself in the tagger’s shoes. Would you rather exhibit where your work is up for 17 hours or 17 days? You should keep paint on hand that matches the paint on your building’s surfaces and keep contact information handy for someone who offers sandblasting and other removal services.
Watch your windows
Spray paint isn’t the only medium taggers use. Some etch graffiti in glass with sharp implements or acid. One way to guard against etched graffiti is to apply protective film to glass surfaces. The film also typically has energy-saving qualities as well.
Photo © Stockbyte.
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