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City of Madera, Anti Graffiti Program






For Parents

Parents Have a Responsibility to Stop Graffiti Vandalism Graffiti is an act of destructive vandalism! It hurts schools and neighborhoods both aesthetically and economically, decreases the feeling of safety, drains tax dollars, and sends the signal that nobody cares. In response, the City has launched a new, multifaceted campaign to stop graffiti. Our four-pronged approach will address eradication, education, enforcement and prosecution to discourage and eliminate graffiti vandalism - and we need your help! As parents, you are responsible for your child's actions, so do your part in stopping graffiti!


Attention Parents! If a child is caught tagging, his or her parent may be responsible for paying the expensive fines for their child's crime! Look for signs that your child may be involved in graffiti, and take action before they vandalize!


What Are Some of the Indications That Your Child May be a Graffiti Vandal?

    • Graffiti on backpacks, books, clothing, notebooks, or furniture.
    • Markings on teenager's things resembling graffiti markings found in the community.
    • Possession of "Graffiti Implements," for example spray paint, paint markers, shoe polish daubers, drill bits, sandpaper, grinding stones, brillo pads, rocks, lava rocks, permanent markers, stickers (slap tagging), rubber gloves, or acid.
    • Has in their possession photographs/clippings/posters of graffiti.
    • Has in their possession Graffiti publications.
    • Uses slang terms associated with graffiti.
    • Use of hand signs.
    • Sneaks out late at night.
    • Visits Internet sites about graffiti.
    • Has permanent marker stains or paint stains on clothing.
    • Has friends who are graffiti vandals.


What Can You do if You Believe Your Child May be Involved in Graffiti Vandalism?

    • Encourage open dialogue with your child about potential consequences of graffiti, like expensive fines, revocation of drivers license, community service, and jail time.
    • Check your child's backpack regularly, because possession of graffiti implements, like paint markers, may result in a fine of $1000.
    • Encourage after school activities, like a sport or club that will occupy their time. The City of Madera Recreation Department offers after school activities for all ages. Call (559) 661-5495 for more info.
    • Contact a school counselor, for ideas about how to communicate with your child.
    • Call Crime Stoppers: (559) 498-7867 Crime Stoppers will award up to $1000 for anonymous tips which aid in the arrest of a graffiti vandal.
    • Call 911 to report graffiti in progress.


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Graffiti Hotline & Clean-Up:

For more information, please contact Graffiti Hotline & Clean-Up: (559) 661-5119


This information was developed in conjunction with the City of Oxnard, CA.



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