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Graffiti. When it is not the art |
by Dovilė Šulcienė
Vilnius perceives the art of graffiti as a form of self-expression of the youth. When self-expression manifests in forms opposite to the law (in this case, illegal graffities - damage of another person's property), it is considered as a problem that must be solved. The application of forced methods (penalties, sanctions) alone will not solve the problem, but will rather suppress the formation of personality and raise the increasing protest of the youth. Therefore, the municipality is in search of positive methods for the prevention of illegal graffities and support the origin of nice graffities in the legal places. However, the graffiti drawings are inappropriate in the Old Town of Vilnius, which is enlisted as UNESCO's protected objects,as well as on the external walls of buildings and structures.
 Each year, the municipality allocates approximately LTL 0.5 million (approx. EUR 144,956.95) for removing illegal graffiti. On 11 June 2004, the Graffiti Prevention Work Group was formed.The activity of the group was mainly focused on the selection of places for drawing legal graffities. The group is composed of the representatives of municipality, law enforcement and youth organizations.
The municipality has prepared the Illegal Graffiti Prevention Programme for 2010-2011 which includes the application of the following measures:
- Legal spaces for graffiti drawings (currently 7 places),
- Controlling violations (patrol in the areas visited by graffiti drawers, administrative penalties for violators),
- Promoting police officers, detaining the drawers of illegal graffiti,
- Involving and informing the community members,
- Prevention projects.
The illegal drawers are imposed with an administrative responsibility. Administrative penalties vary from caution to the fine in the amount of up to LTL 2,000 (approx. EUR 580). The minimum fine is LTL 10 (approx. EUR 3). The criminal responsibility is also applied for destruction or damage of property.
The majority of graffiti drawing cases are identified by the police officers who are promoted by the municipality with letters of appreciation or cash bonuses.
Thus far all pretrial investigations on the illegal graffiti drawings have been terminated, because the activity was qualified as a violation of the administrative law. One pretrial investigation initiated by the Safe City Department of Vilnius Municipality has been suspended without identifying the guilty part.
The municipality cooperates with the representatives of the community and is in constant search of the promoters.
- The illegal graffiti prevention projects were organized in 2005, 2009 and 2010 during which the illegal graffities were painted over and competitions of legal graffiti drawing were organized.
- The posters of graffiti prevention and memos on graffities were distributed in the city.
- Police officers prepare discussions with senior students and their parents regarding the illegal drawing of graffities.
Potential solutions to the problem
- The approval of more places for legal drawing of graffiti (under-crossings, schools under renova tion, special concrete blocks) through the coop eration with graffiti artists.
- Establishment of places where the drawing can be performed without coordination with the mu nicipality.
- The promotion of police officers detaining the drawers of illegal graffities.
- The assistance to organizers of graffiti drawing contests (organizational assistance, support with paint and other means).
- Creation of prevention videos to be shown at schools, in the public transport means.
- Operative removal of graffities. Promotion among citizens to inform about violations.
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