Crowley warns graffiti taggers: Give Lynn a break

LYNN – Annoying graffiti markings sprayed on businesses, homes, bridges, and all other structures targeted throughout the city have resulted in officials declaring enough is enough.Eager to put a stop to those armed with spray paint, Councilor At-Large Paul Crowley called upon city officials Tuesday to discuss the issues surrounding graffiti and gangs and raise interest in creating a government and community partnership to take a stand against offenders.?There are ways to improve graffiti in this urban setting and a partnership would work toward educating community leaders, government leaders and the youth of our city on effective ways to eradicate Lynn of this social ill,” he said. “It?s important to understand that we can make a difference with some of the successes born in other communities such as Boston.”Robert Hills, executive director of the National Council to Prevent Delinquency, Inc. of Annapolis, MD, and Detective William Kelley of the Boston Regional Intelligence Center and Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Boston Police Department addressed the “best practices” to deal with graffiti vandalism, property damage, and graffiti related to gang turf issues.Kelley said while most people think gangs are the ones that tag buildings, 95 percent of all graffiti actually stems from people coming in to the city from neighboring towns, and only 5 percent from gangs.?The difference between art and graffiti is permission,” he said. “If the graffiti is such great artwork, then why isn?t it spray painted on the front of their mother?s or father?s house?”According to Kelley, there are five types of graffiti: anarchist, which is typically politically driven, satanic, which usually involves swastikas and other religious connotations, gang driven and street.Once the graffiti is spotted, he said there are four simple rules to follow: read it, report it to the police, record it by either taking a photograph or video, and remove it immediately.?Every city has their gang issues, but the markings are all about fame for the taggers who are usually white, rich kids,” he said. “You get a lot of respect for tagging a bridge and it?s very anti-establishment and anti-power. But the key is to remove it immediately so they get the hint to move on.”Referencing the Lynn Mass Artists, a well-known group of graffiti artists operating in the city, and a tagger that goes by “Venom,” Kelley said there is a science to the markings and the offenders are often tough to track down.?That?s why you have to get the community involved to form a task force and track these people down,” he said. “You can?t be a toothless tiger because no one can handle this alone.”Hills recommended regulating the sale of spray paint to minors, installing security cameras, lighting, and sprinklers with sensors to deter these crimes from occurring.Crowley expressed interest in forming a group to brainstorm ideas and meet once a month to put an end to taggers. Once the ideas are jotted down, he said he hopes to roll out a plan by the spring of 2009.