Tagging and Graffiti - Victoria University of Wellington
Tagging and Graffiti - Victoria University of Wellington
Tagging and Graffiti - Victoria University of Wellington
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Tagging</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Graffiti</strong>: attitudes <strong>and</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> New Zeal<strong>and</strong>ers<br />
school talks with the vest, graffiti in Eastern <strong>Wellington</strong> dropped away to negligible figures (T.<br />
Gommans, personal communication, May 26 2009). However, an unintended consequence <strong>of</strong><br />
this kind <strong>of</strong> crime prevention initiative is that it moves the problem around to other suburbs 4 .<br />
The western <strong>and</strong> northern suburbs <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wellington</strong> have apparently reported an increase in<br />
graffiti <strong>and</strong> tagging since the introduction <strong>of</strong> the ‘pink vest’ initiative in eastern parts <strong>of</strong> the<br />
city (City Life Independent Herald, March 2009). In addition as Gommans notes, crime<br />
prevention initiatives might not lead to sustained <strong>and</strong> continuing reductions in <strong>of</strong>fending<br />
behaviour.<br />
For over six months I had hardly anything. It was great because I have other things I<br />
have to do but slowly it started to come back. A lot <strong>of</strong> them now know about the pink<br />
vest <strong>and</strong> they put down the spray can when they know the consequences.<br />
(Constable T. Gommans, May 26, 2009)<br />
A second education programme, run by Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust (MBCT),<br />
shows Year 5 to 8 students the impact on their community <strong>of</strong> graffiti (B. Carney, personal<br />
communication, June 2, 2009). Run in conjunction with community police <strong>of</strong>ficers, students<br />
discuss the issues around the problem then help to ‘paint out’ a targeted wall or space in<br />
local parks, reserves or walkways. MBCT’s Barbara Carney believes that undertaking the<br />
clean-up gives students pride in the work. MBCT also gives presentations on the topic to high<br />
school students. A further MBCT initiative, ENVIRO ARTS, works with at-risk youth in a<br />
programme teaching new skills <strong>and</strong> attempting to build their self esteem. Carney explained<br />
that this gives them employment skills for a trade, as the practical experience <strong>of</strong> building park<br />
benches, retaining walls <strong>and</strong> similar can facilitate entry into further training or labouring work<br />
(B. Carney, personal communication, May 8, 2009).<br />
It is clear that in New Zeal<strong>and</strong> currently the issue <strong>of</strong> graffiti <strong>and</strong> tagging is a source <strong>of</strong><br />
concern for communities <strong>and</strong> politicians alike. It is also clear that there are a number <strong>of</strong><br />
diverse initiatives that are focussing on dealing with the issues that graffiti raises. Those that<br />
have been successful are those that are most closely aligned to the attitudes <strong>of</strong> the young<br />
people <strong>and</strong> graffiti writers studied in this research project. For example, those that clear up<br />
‘tagging’ <strong>and</strong> replace them with murals or graffiti art are successful because the ‘rules’<br />
relating to graffiti strongly prohibit tagging on respected ‘pieces’.<br />
4 This is also apparent as a consequence <strong>of</strong> alcohol bans which have simply moved the problem <strong>of</strong><br />
street drinkers from Glover Park to Cuba Street to Aro Valley, <strong>and</strong> is a form <strong>of</strong> displacement <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
associated with this kind <strong>of</strong> crime prevention initiative.<br />
23