Report any graffiti you find immediately to the appropriate agency. This is important for two reasons: to identify trends in type/location of graffiti and to get it cleaned up promptly.
Remove any graffiti immediately to show that you care about your property. This will dissuade the graffiti vandal because it doesn’t give the recognition they are looking for if you remove it quickly.
Visually discourage graffiti vandals from using your property by choosing darker paint colors. This makes their monikers stand out less, contradicting their goal of quick and easy recognition.
Install motion-activated lights or security cameras on your property to scare them away.
Use landscaping to deter graffiti vandals. Plant thorny or vine plants in front of ideal surfaces such as wall or fences. Graffiti vandals will avoid thorny plants so they don't get hurt or rip their clothes. Vine plants make the surfaces difficult to paint.
If graffiti vandals continue to use your wood fence, consider installing a metal cyclone fence so the surface is no longer flat and easy to paint.
If a wall, roof or flat surface is easy for graffiti vandals to access, make it more difficult by installing locks, fences, or gates.
Identify and report any individuals you feel may be involved in graffiti vandalism; look for the warning signs.
Work with local law enforcement, the school district, and the community to establish supervised/constructive late night alternatives like nighttime basketball, competitive drill teams, or dance programs.
Know who your local resources are: school district administrators, community officials, school law enforcement officers, and area law enforcement officers.
Get involved in or start a neighborhood watch program in your area.
Know the key phone numbers to use in reporting graffiti in the Turlock area.
Removing graffiti immediately shows that you care about your property and community. Prompt removal may dissuade the graffiti vandals from returning because their moniker/tag will not be seen by their peer group or the general public. The main objective of the vandals is to become infamous by the recognition.
The following list offers ideas for shrubs and vining. However, check before you plant to ensure your selection is compatible with your soil and climate.
GANG GRAFFITI (example: Blood, Crip, Norteno, Sureno)
Gang name or symbol
Hand signs
Gang member name or nickname
Numbers
Visible locations
Enemy name or symbol
GANG GRAFFITI MOTIVES:
Mark territory
Threaten violence
Boast achievements
Honor the dead
Insult / taunt other gangs
****Be careful when removing or painting over gang graffiti. The gang may take offense to the removal of their mark. Never remove or paint over graffiti alone.
The City of Turlock, Neighborhood Services Bureau is asking for your help! Join efforts with Neighborhood Services to report graffiti sightings in your neighborhood! Call the TAG (Turlock Against Graffiti) hotline at 209-668-5550 ext 6120 and leave the location of the graffiti. The message can be anonymous, however, if we cannot locate the graffiti, leaving your name and phone number would help us to clarify the location of the graffiti. Neighborhood Services will verify the report and make certain the graffiti is painted over. Graffiti is a community problem and it takes effort to keep it in check. Thank you!
City of Turlock Municipal Code - Section 4-14-401 through 4-14-408
State of California Penal Code - Section 594-625c