The most effective way to prevent graffiti is to remove it promptly. Studies show that removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of reoccurrence. Communities that have tried "legal" or "free walls," or areas that permit graffiti, find them ineffective.  Cities round the world including Sydney, London California have all found them to be "a failure".


With a legal wall, governments or businesses essentially sponsor graffiti in an effort to rid a community of graffiti. This sends a mixed message. Data also shows nil decrease in arrests for graffiti in cities where there are legal walls. Legal walls tend to attract graffiti vandals from outside the city and cover the surrounding areas with graffiti.


Peter Siegmund, Managing Director Graffiti X, states; “Nine years ago and prior to the legal graffiti wall at South Newcastle Beach Skate Ramp, there was less that 5% of the current graffiti in the Newcastle CBD. 


But, Lake Macquarie City Council has a program of weekly graffiti removal of the Croudace Bay Park Skate Ramp, the surrounding areas are graffiti free.
The legal graffiti wall in the lane adjacent to Walkhom Linehans Real Estate has resulted in a nightmare of graffiti overflow to this business. We remove graffiti from the real estate business twice a week.


Newcastle City Council needs to clean up current graffiti at least on its property.  Then if the City wants a tribute to graffiti in the form of legal Graffiti Walls, I recommend it does so on stand alone billboard in a high traffic area.”

Graffiti vandalism - the wilful marking, spraying or writing of a surface without the owner’s consent is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine, and/or community service. Severe penalties under the Crimes Act 1900 and Summary Offences Act 1988 are in place to deal with graffiti vandalism.

Peter Siegmund urges Newcastle law enforcement bodies, council and private residents to be vigilant in combating this vandalism and bringing the criminals to justice.

Graffiti X is a Newcastle based company that offers ecofriendly products and responsive help, graffiti patrols, advice and graffiti removal services. Its competitive advantage is “removing and repairing graffiti from most surfaces leaving no shadows or damage”. The owner Peter Siegmund, has been directly involved in graffiti monitoring and removal throughout NSW for about 15 years.

Enquiries

Peter Seigmund
Graffiti X Pty Ltd
P: 1300 661 941 (Australia)
M: +61 (0)408 491 820
F: +61 (0)2 4962 5243
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