Police Report: Grafitti a big problem for Lemoore and other cities

After receiving my Associates Degree in Administration of Justice, I transferred to the University of California, Irvine. At UC Irvine, I graduated with my Bachelors of Arts earning a degree in the field of Criminology, Law and Society. After graduating from UC Irvine, I attended the 129th Police Academy at the College of the Sequoias in Hanford.

This article is to inform the citizens of Lemoore of a consistent and reoccurring issue within the city – graffiti. Graffiti, by definition, is the illicit drawings or writings on a wall or surface of a public place. The graffiti can also be written on private property; houses, garages, vehicles, etc. Most graffiti is created using colored spray paint. Most of the writings are usually in block style writing.

There are different styles, sizes, colors, characteristics and reasons for graffiti – all being illegal. However, one thing to keep in mind is the fact that graffiti is a common activity that is consistent with gang culture and activity. The graffiti illustrates the socialization between members of the gang and the proliferation of the gang.

It also displays the sense of claiming the territory associated with the gang on the content of the graffiti. Other contents of gang graffiti show a gang member's moniker (gang member associated name), the number they represent (usually 13 or 14), the color or gang they represent, among other characteristics. Regardless of the content, it demonstrates the motivated act to destroy and deface public and private property with the disregard of preserving the wellbeing of the city.

Of the reported calls for graffiti in 2013, many of the calls were reported by Lemoore City Employees or noticed by Lemoore Police Officers. Few calls of graffiti were reported by the citizens of Lemoore due to the fact that it did not occur on their property. Such writings were reported to be found in all places, such as the common areas, public parks, the restrooms of the public parks, sidewalks along the streets and also the concrete walls that run along the main streets of Lemoore.

By not reporting such graffiti and allowing it to remain in such areas, one can conclude that it may continue to promote gang activity, gang migration and proliferation and reduce the quality appearance of the city. It also endorses the Broken Window Theory, which states, that allowing vandalism and anti-social behavior without fixing it can only result in an escalation of more serious crimes.

Therefore, the Lemoore Police Department encourages its citizens to report any-and-all suspicious activity at all times. Creating relationships and building cohesion within neighborhoods strengthens the communication and promotes awareness. It also allows the Lemoore Police Department to depend on more active reporting parties. Citizens are also welcome to attend city council meetings to address any concerns they have.

Anyone having further information or questions regarding graffiti or gang activity is encouraged to contact the Lemoore Police Department. Anyone having questions regarding this article is also encouraged to contact me at 925-6808. The Lemoore Police Department strives to protect the safety and wellbeing of its citizens of Lemoore. The Lemoore Police Department also strives to maintain a good relationship with the citizens of Lemoore.