Just received the monthly crime report for our area from our neighbourhood association. It included the following report re graffiti. Unfortunately I can't figure out how to post the photos of the tagger NONE's work that were included in the report, but there's still lots of interesting graffiti info:
Graffiti update: Tagger KEENUR still remains incarcerated and has a next court appearance of 8 October. A well known adult tagger was recently arrested who tags GNAR. He was also breaching previous conditions and remains in custody. I can not stress the excitement I receive when I see how active members of West Town are in identifying locations. We have one significant arrest under our belts; I would like to try another famous tagger known to me as NONE.
I actually call him No Money as he usually has a money symbol in his tags. Although both tags look nothing alike, they are done by the same person. In the graffiti sub culture most taggers have various versions of the same message.
The tag on the left in big bubble letters would be known as a blocker. A blocker does not allow anyone else to use the wall space. Balloon graffiti usually takes more time than just a tag (on the left). Both spell NONE. The one on the left also makes several references to GOD. NONE has evolved over the summer and is responsible for other graffiti such as $lave, kills cops, and a teardrop with a money symbol in it. You may remember the big pink pig with a police hat on by the vacant Tim Horton’s on Aberdeen and Dundurn. The GPS were kind enough to have that removed before they were disbanded. Please report all sightings of any graffiti that looks like either of these or similar with a forward or backward money sign. I believe him to be a male while, 19 years of age. Any assistance in identifying him would be greatly appreciated.
Graffiti lingo
TAG-a stylized signature usually simple and one color
THROW UP-a more elaborate tag normally using more than one color, but it takes much less time than a piece
PIECES-short for masterpieces, these are large, detailed drawings, sometimes in 3-D or other special effects
BOMBING-to hit many different surfaces with graffiti vandalism
CREW-a group of graffiti vandals
SLASH-to put a line through or graffiti over someone else’s graffiti
BURNER-a very large, elaborate, detailed piece of graffiti
TOY- a junior tagger, or someone new, or not very good. KEENUR was referred to as a toy by many taggers.
Tips to help prevent graffiti vandalism
Keep your property well maintained
Keep your property well-lit; vandals fear light
Eliminate reasons for loitering such as benches, pay phones, etc.
Plant bushes or fences in areas to impede access to buildings
Install security cameras and motion sensor lighting
Limit access to roofs
Report suspicious activity and encourage neighbours to do the same
Take pictures or video of all graffiti attacks
Don’t discount graffiti vandalism as a harmless prank. It is a crime, so treat it as one and report it to the police. If someone is caught, we will follow through with an arrest and prosecute!
Be proactive! You are responsible for your property and its upkeep.
Sgt. Jo-Ann Savoie #191
Division One Crime Manager
WEST TOWN
155 King William St.
Hamilton, ON L8N 4C1
Work: (905) 540-5093
e-mail:
jsavoie@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
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I know tagging's an entirely different matter (kind of the scrawny kid brother who's never quite as cool as Jimmy, the artist of the family, got to be), but when you get into those who do elaborate, artistic graffiti pieces, it is a lot of the 20-30 age range.
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