Graffiti Wall

During a public forum about the proposed ordinance, it was suggested the city look into creating a legal graffiti wall or zone so artists can go there instead of illegally marking on private property.

In an email interview with San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams he said he hopes to hear other suggestions other to reduce illegal graffiti and mentioned the legal graffiti wall, “Perhaps designated place for people to express themselves would be appropriate.”

Communication design student and graffiti artist, Joey Morales, said he did not support the ordinance because he an art student and carries markers and paint supplies with him often but does not intend to graffiti private property, but rather uses them for class or at his home. He went to a public forum about the ordinance and discussed creating a graffiti wall away from local businesses and it could be used as a place to draw in visitors or artists from other cities to appreciate graffiti as an art form. The graffiti wall is being debated but no action has been taken.

According to the website of Graffiti Hurts – Care For Your Community, a grassroots organization, said data shows no decrease in arrests for graffiti in cities where there are legal and sends a mixed message to the community. A study conducted in 2006 in Los Angeles studied if a mural would prevent illegal graffiti in the surrounding area and it was discovered it did not prevent graffiti but there were less instances of it.