Impacts of Graffiti

Graffiti vandalism is a significant problem on a National level, as well as the local level, even rural areas such as Jackson Hole are not immune from this type of crime. The cost of graffiti vandalism nationally is estimated to be more than $15 billion dollars, with approximately $8 billion dollars spent on abatement activities alone, (according to the National Center for Problem Oriented Policing). Graffiti vandalism can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life for residents, tourism, as well as a negative impact on local business by contributing to fear and graffiti’s association with other criminal activity.

The involvement of residents and business owners within Jackson Hole is critical to fighting the crime of graffiti vandalism. The aggressive commitment of residents and business/property owners to a community-police partnership will signal widespread disapproval of the crime of graffiti vandalism in our community and support police enforcement activities. The following are a few ways the police and community can work together to address this important issue:

Report graffiti vandalism on public and private property to police. Cases that go unreported will likely never be investigated or resolved without your help. The police department maintains a photographic record of all reported cases that often help in solving more than one case when successful identification of a suspect is made.
Be the additional “eyes and ears” for the police. Provide information to authorities if you have knowledge of who might be involved in property destruction of this type.
Immediately remove any graffiti after the police have investigated. Studies have shown that when graffiti is removed within 24- 48 hours of occurring, that the likelihood of it reoccurring greatly diminishes.
Keep your property well lighted with motion-detection lights that can deter would-be vandals. Most incidents of graffiti occur under the cover of darkness.
Vandals prefer large, unobstructed, lightly colored areas to tag. Consider this information as you design you’re landscaping; choose colors for your home; and select fencing styles. Often strategically placed shrubbery can minimize the likelihood of the would-be vandal choosing your property to vandalize.
Businesses with alley way access should maintain the rear of their facility in the same manner as the store front. Un-kept properties with deteriorating aesthetic conditions will attract would-be vandals and graffiti, (often referred to as the broken window syndrome).

The Jackson Police Department and the Town of Jackson Public Works Department are committed to removing all graffiti from publicly owned property as quickly as possible. If you know of locations within the Town of Jackson that need cleaned up, please contact the Police Department’s administrative number at (307) 733-1430 so arrangements can be made to address the problem. We thank you and appreciate your help to keep Jackson Hole beautiful!