Problems with Vandalism
Cleaning up graffiti is expensive. In the U.S., around $12 billion is spent every year to remove it. In East Los Angeles, where graffiti is common, the cost is a major burden. Local governments, property owners, and taxpayers often end up paying the bill, and this money could be used for better things like schools, parks, or other community improvements.
But it’s not just about the money. Graffiti makes neighborhoods look run-down and unwelcoming, which can make people feel unsafe. It lowers property values, and when a neighborhood looks uncared-for, it discourages new people from moving in. A Senior at East Los Angeles Renaissance states “When my cousins from Mexico visit, they don’t like staying out late, especially where there’s a lot of graffiti.” When asked how graffiti has affected family, when asked why they followed up saying , “Because they think gangs are nearby wherever there’s graffiti.”
Graffiti doesn’t just damage buildings—it can also affect the way young people feel about their neighborhood. When kids see graffiti and vandalism all around, they may feel like no one cares about their community. Instead of spending money to clean it up, those funds could be used to make the neighborhood better with more schools, parks, and activities for youth.
Property values drop when neighborhoods are full of graffiti and vandalism. It makes homes harder to sell and causes rental prices to fall, making the area less attractive for newcomers. Businesses also suffer because graffiti-covered buildings scare off customers. This is especially hard on small businesses that rely on local shoppers to stay afloat.
Cleaning up graffiti and repairing the damages are costly. This money could be used for schools and parks instead, benefiting the children in the area. When buildings and public spaces are covered in graffiti or damaged, they look neglected. This makes it harder to sell homes to newcomers and devalues rental prices.
Graffiti hurts many local businesses. When buildings and stores are covered in graffiti, it can scare away customers and make it harder for businesses to sell. This is significant, especially for small local businesses that are an important part of the community.
In many cases, gangs use graffiti to claim territory. This can divide the community and make people feel unsafe. Residents may feel nervous walking in certain areas or even wearing certain colors, fearing they could get targeted just for being in the “wrong” place. This creates a tense environment where people are always on edge, watching what they wear or where they go to avoid trouble.
Despite the problems, people in East Los Angeles are taking action to fight back against graffiti. Community groups organize clean-up events to remove graffiti and improve the look of their neighborhoods. These efforts not only help make the area look nicer, but they also bring people together to show they care about where they live.
Sources:
https://pixabay.com/images/search/graffiti/
https://www.seebrilliance.com/the-frightening-impact-of-graffiti-on-our-local-communities/