Why are cities and towns concerned about graffiti?

Graffiti vandalism impacts cities directly and indirectly. Its most direct impact is cost -- cities are spending substantial amounts of money to eradicate the graffiti damage on public property. Indirectly, graffiti defaces neighborhoods and decreases property values. People in areas with heavy graffiti fear crime. Business activity is reduced because the general public associates graffiti with criminal activity and is afraid to patronize the business. In areas where neighborhoods and businesses have taken an aggressive approach to graffiti eradication, new businesses have moved in and housing sales and re-sales have improved.  more