Break the cycle of glass graffiti

Graffiti used to mean 'scratching on a surface'. It was valued. Today, graffiti means defacing without permission; vandalism and a crime. Any personal input called for still allows graffiti artists their own sense of misplaced pride. Unlike the mere kicking out of a glass pane – that's just a wanton act. 

 

Nerve is needed for someone to deface a pane or to throw a brick. If nothing is done, damage increases, ramped up as the less motivated join in the fun. It can spread like wildfire and local people become fearful and depressed, creating a downward spiral. However, if something were done about it and for long enough, the spiral could reverse itself just as quickly, aided by locals with new found confidence to defend their area.

 

Before choosing a cleaning method or contractor, those addressing crime have to absorb a mantra: "This is a crime and it stops right now!" The crime affects the community – be it aimed at local housing, a school or industry and commerce. A 1980s official British government report on school damage stated that many local authorities still thought preventing damage lay with state-of-the-art hardware. The report showed that good housekeeping and management of the problem had the most effect in terms of a practical result and cost saving.

The next stage introduces "4 Ps" in sequence: Policy; Participation; Product; Persistence.

Policy: A first step for putting flesh on the intent. How do we tackle this crime? Whom or what do we use? But there is a more vital element – speed of response. Success will result directly from swift action: See it! Report it! Get out and do it! Without speed, control over graffiti is dead in the water before you start.

Participation: Who's involved and what's the programme about? The usual parts of any policy launch. Careful planning, training, delegation and strict co-ordination are essential. Were a system to splinter piecemeal, confusion would reduce or destroy all hope of success.

These 2Ps form the "pod", guiding your attack towards ending that graffiti problem.

Product: With the "pod" in place, only now can you sort out the array and mix of attack methods – detergent, solvent, surface polishing or scraping; molecular coating, window film, water and elbow grease – and how and by whom are these assets to be deployed?

Persistence: So, now the bad guys are on the run. Job done?  Sorry, but it's just started.

Treat graffiti as a weed. Kill it off, turn away and it's back. Success is rooted in persistence. Never rein in just to save cash, assuming that the problem is over. It is never over.

An example of poor experience? A city housing department had rampant vandalism within a high rise housing complex, enough to set up a glass shop on site. This did not address the basic problem, but did generate a huge turnover of glass. The 4P solution was applied out of despair, using a specific security window film, which held the glass together in the event of an impact of any kind, and with a very precise fitting technique – not today's "lash it up and leave it" system.

The project was monitored monthly. Damage was being repaired almost before the sound of glass breaking died away. The integrity of entrance door and fire glass was maintained, breaking into flats ceased, the glass shop closed and local confidence returned. Six months later however, there was a departmental change and the incidence of damage soared without that crucial swift intervention. Within one year the project came full circle again.