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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/04/05 Additional Informationa✓5���1 - �i�.ldG Comme.Y�}S San Diego County Sheriff's Department CRIMINriL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN JITA ROACHE, SHERIFF VOLUME VIII JULY 1994 BULLETIN IV 1r� PE TAGG RS P' 5 . - HISTORY OF GRAFFITI Graffiti is defined by Webster's dictionary as "an inscription, slogan, drawing, etc. scratched, scribbled, or drawn, often crudely, on a wall or other public surface." 1 In the 1950's graffiti was used by street gangs to "mark their territory ", issue challenges and intimidate others. Graffiti is still widely used by gangs today for these reasons. Tagging started in about 1970 by a delivery boy named Demetrius who worked in Brooklyn and lived in Manhattan, New York. Demetrius' nickname was "Taki" and he lived on 183rd St. While making his deliveries, Demetrius would write "Taki 183" on the streets, therefore gaining much recognition by other graffiti artists. As a result of this, a reporter from the New York Times interviewed Demetrius. The article was printed in the paper in July, 1971. Years later, a movie called "Turk 182" was produced. This glorified graffiti and motivated others to seek the same fame. Since then, tagger graffiti has evolved into what you see today. It has now spread to every corner of the nation. TAGGERS VS. GANG GRAFFITI There is a noticeable difference in style between tagger and gang graffiti and the motives behind it. Graffiti is commonly used by gangs to mark their territory, issue challenges /-earnings to other gangs and is the "newspaper" of the streets. More often than not, it is confined to the gang's "turf ". Traditionally it is written in block or old English style. It is plain, not artistic and is one color. A gang member is usually given their moniker by members of the gang. The moniker most often is chosen to fit the gang member's physical or psychological characteristics. This name usually follows them throughout their life as a gangster. When writing graffiti, a gangster will usually write the gang name, followed by their moniker and the rest of the gang members that were present when the graffiti was applied. Taggers and their graffiti are not normally "turf" oriented. A tagger and tagging crew receives recognition from within the tagger sub- culture when they "hit up" frequently or in hard to get to areas (i.e. freeway signs, bridges). This is why taggers write their tag and crew name wherever they travel. When applying their graffiti, a tagger writes their name and /or their crew's name. A tagger will only write someone else's tag name if that person is present (i.e. lookout, driver of get away vehicle, etc.) or somehow assisted them with applying the graffiti. Although, the actual graffiti style varies from one person to the next. Taggers graffiti usually is a free flowing, bubble letter or wild style. 2 GRAFFITI A plague on our society! As you all well aware, the graffiti in our lovely Chula Vista has become ever increasing; gang logos etched and spray painted on business windows, private property, utility boxes and even our churches are not a safe haven from these criminals. A few of the cities around San Diego County have implemented the "Graffiti Tracker" The use of "Graffiti Tracker" by Imperial Beach resulted in the arrest of the young criminal, restitution of $86,000.00 was paid by his parents. Santa Clarita has a Graffiti Tack force, the State of Georgia has an extensive bill to combat the ever growing menace to the quality of life. While compiling this presentation, I had the pleasure of getting to know some of the citizens of our fair City; they and disgusted and afraid of the influx of gang activity. While I was photographing the etching on the Banner Mattress building at 1099 P Ave. , an elderly woman pushing a walker passed by. She was thoroughly taken aback at the vandalism. I asked if she felt safe here. "Not really" she replied as she went on her way. Please call 211 to report vandalism of all sorts!! Gangs and vandalism including graffiti are pushing away business and families. IS THIS WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR CITY AND OUR CHILDRENS FUTURE? Thank you Rob Corcilius March 8, 2011 The Honorable Cameron Smyth, Chair Assembly Local Government Committee State Capitol, Room 4098 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: AB 486 (Hueso) — Graffiti Abatement Dear Assemblymember Smyth: The (insert organization) Supports AB 486 (Hueso), as introduced February 15, 2011, which permanently funds a graffiti tracking system within the jurisdiction of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) by using 10% of the restitution collected from graffiti crimes. Currently, the County and Cities in our region are embarking on a region -wide pilot program to combat graffiti through the use of technology. Through the use of a program called Graffiti Tracker, graffiti incidents can be analyzed, providing law enforcement authorities with the information they need to prosecute the offenders. Public work crews use a GPS- enabled camera to take photos of the graffiti, marking it with the date and time and the exact location of the graffiti. Under the current economic conditions, cities and agencies within SANDAG are finding it challenging to fund the Graffiti Tracker Program. AB 486 will ensure the continuation of this important program. For these and other reasons, the (insert organization) is pleased to Support AB 486 (Hueso) and respectfully requests your "AYE" vote when it comes before your consideration. Sincerely, Name cc: The Honorable Ben Hueso CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE - 2011 -12 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 486 Introduced by Assembly Member Hueso February 15, 2011 An act to add Section 53069.35 to the Government Code, relating to graffiti abatement. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 486, as introduced, Hueso. Graffiti tracking system: funding. Existing law provides that a city or county may pass an ordinance to recover city or county funds used to remove graffiti or other inscribed material from publicly or privately owned real or personal property within the city or county. Existing law authorizes a city, county, or city and county, to pass an ordinance directing the probation officer of the county to recoup its costs associated with defacement by minors of its property and the property of others by graffiti or other inscribed material, through juvenile court proceedings, as provided. This bill would require a city or county within the jurisdiction of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to pay 10% of the amounts collected pursuant to the above provisions to SANDAG for the purpose of funding a graffiti tracking system to be administered by SANDAG. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. 99 EFFECTS OF GRAFFITI IN THE COMMUNITY It is undisputed that graffiti has a negative impact on society. In 1992 over 5 million dollars was spent by governmental agencies to clean up graffiti in San Diego County. Graffiti in the neighborhood creates a sense of insecurity and fear for the residents. It devalues property in and around the effected area. If graffiti is not quickly removed, it will tend to multiply and manifest more criminal activity. People tend not to want to shop or open new businesses in these "bad areas". PROFILE OF A TAGGER The typical tagger is between 8 becoming involved in tagging and scene). Taggers come from all socio- economic back grounds. P1 reasons. Recognition, peer excitement, boredom, attention. and 18 years old. Females are the tagging sub- culture (hip -hop different races, religions and :ople become taggers for various pressure, sense of belonging, Taggers usually choose their own tag name. There are various reasons that the name is chosen such as, they like the particular letters, the name sounds good to them, it is easy to write. Frequently taggers will have a "back up tag ". The back up tag will be used if law enforcement identifies their current tag. It is not unusual for a tagger to change their tag and /or crew several times. 91 Taggers can belong to or associate with more than one crew at a time. Most taggers are into the Hip- Hop /Rap scene and dress accordingly. They seem to prefer baggy pants and shirts. Shirts and baseball hats often bAive cartoon type characters or graffiti on them. This graffiti may include their tag name or crew name. There are several stores that cater to taggers and their sub- culture. PROFILE OF A TAGGING CREW Tagging crews range in membership from two to hundreds of persons. Many times the crews are comprised of both males and females. Frequently they will refer to themselves as "ravers ", "break dancers ", or "party crews ". The typical crew name has two to five letters or numbers. These symbols are an acronym that may stand for several different things. For example "TV" may stand for Trolley Vandals, Transit Vandals, Town Vandals. 594K stands for "Vandalism Krew ". Crews may also use the telephone pad nu:aber system abc def 1 2 3 ghi jkl mno 4 5 6 prs tuv wxy 7 8 9 For example "TV" would be "88" Or the alphabet number system A -1 G -7 M -13 S -19 Y -25 B -2 H -8 N -14 T -20 Z -26 C -3 I -9 0 -15 U -21 D -4 J -10 P -16 V -22 E -5 K -11 Q -17 W -23 F -6 L -12 R -18 X -24 Example "TV" would be 1120 22 ". Most tagging crews are organized and have ongoing meetings. At the crew meetings, they typically discuss and plan "bombing and racking runs ", places members have tagged, who is and who is not "putting in work" (tagging), and problems with other crews. 4 Normally there is not a jumping in or out of members desiring to get into or out of a crew. However the prospective member must prove themselves by actively tagging with the crew or its members. If a member of the crew is not egging, they will be kicked out. This however, is subject to change because taggers and tagging crews are becoming more violent and gang like in nature. Since most taggers are young, they do not have access to vehicles. They commonly use public transportation like the bus or trolley systems. Since taggers know other taggers also use this means of transportation, they will frequently place their tads on or near the systems. By doing this they get the recognition and respect that motivates them. TOOLS OF THE TRADE Spray paint: By far a taggers favorite way to apply graffiti is spray paint. They prefer "Rrylon" paint above all others. There are various reasons why but the main reason is that the tips are interchangeable. By replacing the tips you can achieve the desired spray pattern. Scribers: Scribers are used to etch glass, metal and other hard surfaces. Some of the tools used to do this are: Metai scribers, sandpaper, grinding wheels, knives or rocks. Since much of the taggers graffiti is rapidly cleaned or "buffed ", taggers have resorted to etching. Etching is more expensive to repair and therefore stays "up" longer. When contacting suspected taggers, look for anything that will leave a permanent or semi - permanent mark on something. Other items taggers may write with are markers, glue sticks, paint sticks, shoe polish, etc. To avoid apprehension, some taggers use latex or disposable gloves so that they do not get paint on their hands. Some don't, so be sure to check their finger tips and clothing for paint residue. Taggers will write and practice their tag on everything. School books, papers, hats and other clothing items will frequently have graffiti on them. The tagger's bedroom may also have graffiti or graffiti related items in them. Taggers "rack" or steal a good portion if not all of their paraphernalia. This includes their clothing and supplies. Quite often taggers conceal their goods in their oversized clothing. 5 DOCUMENTATION When documenting a tagger, use the same guidelines as if you were documenting a gang member. Complete a field interview card including the person's tag name and crew. If possible photograph the subject and have them give you an exemplar of their tag. Please forward a copy of the FI's and photo to Deputy Scott KLEINHESSELINK or Deputy Dave MYERS at the Santee Station, mail stop S -126. LAWS PERTAINING TO TAGGERS 555 PC. Entry on posted property 555.1 PC. Destruction of signs 594(b)(1)PC. Vandalism over $50,000.00 594(b)(2)PC. Vandalism over $5,000.00 and under $50,000.00 594(b)(3)PC. Vandalism over $1,000.00 and under 5,000.00 594(b)(4)PC. Vandalism under $1,000.00 594.1(a)PC. Selling or giving aerosol paint to minors 594.1(b)PC. Minor purchasing aerosol paint 594.1(e)PC. Possession of spray paint by a minor 594.3(a)PC. Vandalism of a place of worship. Misd. 594.3(b)PC. Vandalism of a place of worship. Felony 602(f)PC. Maliciously damaging state, city, town, county sign 602(j)PC. Entering land for -the purpose of causing damage to property 605.2PC. Removing, defacing or altering landmarks 622PC. Injuring works of art or improvements in city, town or village 622- 1 /2PC. Injury to object of archeological or historical interest 640.5(a)PC. Affixing graffiti to public transportation 640.6(a)PC. Affixing graffiti to real or personal property GLOSSARY OF TAGGER TERMS BACK UP A tagger's second tag name. This is used if their primary name is known by authorities. Also referred to as members of a crew that will back each other up if they are involved in a confrontation. BITE To steal someone else's style or to have a similar or same tag or crew acronym. BITER Someone who bites or takes someone else's ideas. BOMB To write a large amount of graffiti at one time. 0 BOMBING To go out and vandalize causing extensive damage. Usually in a group. BREAKDOWN Shotgun. BULLET One year in custody. CHECK -COURT Beating a fellow crew member as a form of discipline. CLAIMING Claiming membership in a crew or gang. CREW A group of graffiti vandals who associate together and give themselves a name. Can also be spelled krew. DIS Short for disrespect. DOG To destroy, embarrass or mark over someone else's tag. DOUBLE DUCE .22 calibre gun. DUSTED Killed. High on PCP. FIVE -O The police. FOUR FIVE .45 calibre gun. GIG A gathering of taggers /gangsters. HEAVENS Overhead object (freeway sign, billboard). HERO A person who tries to stop a tagger from applying graffiti. HIP HOP Type of music. HIT UP To tag something. HOUSE NAME Name which crew member is known by. ILLEGAL WALL A place a tagger does not have permission to apply their graffiti. JACK To rob. LIT UP Shoot /shot at. 7 PAINT STICK A marking pen filled with paint. POPPED A CAP Shot at someone. RACKING Stealing. SLASH Writing over someone else's graffiti. SLIPPING Getting caught by rivals alone or without backup. SUCKERS Victims of graffiti. TAG Name a tagger chooses to be known by. TAGBANGERS To back up your tag with violence. TAGGER Person who writes graffiti. UP Having your graffiti in alot of places. 24 -7 To do something 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Information for this section on TAGGERS was provided by Deputy S. KLEINHESSE:LINK and Deputy D. MEYERS. This bulletin was prepared by Deputy Donnie Sossaman of the Sheriff's Criminal Intelligence Detail. If you have any questions regarding this bulletin, or any other, please contact the Criminal Intelligence Detail at 495 -5575. LV