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Kids & Teens
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
TeenZone
Graffiti - Art Or Vandalism?
What is graffiti?
Graffiti is the damage to public or private property by writing words or drawing pictures using paint, ink, crayon, or any other marking or inscribing tool.
Graffiti often appears on walls or fences, mailboxes, newspaper vending machines, street signs, utility boxes, roads, sidewalks and windows. Putting graffiti on any publicly visible surface is vandalism and is illegal.
Some people argue that graffiti is art, even though the person who owns the property probably doesn't want it there. Think of it this way - if you own the fence, you can call it art. But if someone else owns the fence, and they didn't ask you to paint it there, it's vandalism.
Problems with graffiti
Calgarians are dedicated to the care and upkeep of their communities, which has helped make Calgary the beautiful city it is. However, graffiti and other acts of vandalism cause problems that can change that. Graffiti is an eyesore that destroys the natural beauty and design of a community. Even worse, graffiti with hate messages hurts people. Graffiti often contains profane or offensive language. As well, it is often used by gangs to mark their territory.
Help wipe out graffiti
If you notice graffiti you can help:
- Clean it up - if graffiti is left, it may attract other vandals
- Report graffiti on your property or the property of others by calling the Graffiti Hotline at 268-CITY (268-2489); report graffiti online at the Wipe Out Graffiti Web site; or call the police at 9-1-1 to report vandalism in progress.
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