graffiti prevention education program€¦ · graffiti prevention education program teaching and...

Graffiti Prevention Education Program

Teaching and learning activities Objective The learning activities in this unit introduce young students to the concept of graffiti as an illegal activity, as well as where graffiti can be found and who is responsible for it. It provides students with strategies to:

• become aware of their environment and community

• be responsible for their actions and understand consequences

• be good citizens.

Activity description Develop an understanding and awareness of what graffiti is, where it is found and who is responsible for it. Introduce the character Pat the Painter and have students design their own character who can help Pat with his work.

Inquiry question

• How does Pat the Painter help the environment? This teaching strategy has been designed using the Phases of inquiry framework from Kath Murdoch. http://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/phasesofinquiry.pdf

Guiding questions 1. How will the study allow students to reflect on their own values, beliefs and opinions on the topic?

2. Are there places where connections can be made to larger social or environmental issues?

3. Are there opportunities for students to enact a solution or action plan about the issue?

Inquiry process

This teaching strategy has been designed from the 5Es inquiry framework. The following resources have more information about the framework.

• E5 instructional model education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/support/pages/e5.aspx

• Enhancing education: The 5Es enhancinged.wgbh.org/research/eeeee.html

• Introduction to inquiry based learning by Neil Stephenson teachinquiry.com/index/Introduction.html

Pat the Painter: Foundation/Prep–Year 2

cityofgoldcoast.com.au/graffiti Pat the Painter: Foundation to Year 2:

http://www.goldcoastcity.com.au/graffiti

http://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/phasesofinquiry.pdf

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/support/pages/e5.aspx

http://enhancinged.wgbh.org/research/eeeee.html

http://www.teachinquiry.com/index/Introduction.html


Background information The character Pat the Painter is based on one of City of Gold Coast’s graffiti removal painters. Pat the Painter introduces young children to what graffiti is and Pat’s important role in removing graffiti with the help of his friend Kirsty. Pat the Painter encourages children to assist him by caring for their environment and accepting responsibility to keep it clean and graffiti free.

What is graffiti? Graffiti is the unauthorised act of marking other people’s property without their permission. It is illegal, ugly and expensive to remove. Graffiti affects us all: it can lower property values, make people feel unsafe, reduce business patronage and encourage other types of crime.

Graffiti is a crime

Graffiti is illegal in Australia. It is a persistent problem that attracts a variety of penalties. In Queensland, graffiti is a crime under the Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 s. 469 Wilful damage, which states:

Any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property is guilty of an offence…

If the property in question is in a public place, or is visible from a public place, and the destruction or damage is caused by (a) spraying, writing, drawing, marking or otherwise applying paint or another marking substance; or (b) scratching or etching; the offender commits a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years…

The court may… order the offender to perform community service… including for example, removing graffiti from property; and … may order the offender to pay compensation to any person.

Consequences Graffiti offences are treated seriously by police, all levels of government and the justice system. Juvenile offenders (aged 12–17 years) may be sentenced to a term in a detention centre, given a graffiti removal order or given a period of probation (Note: a person aged 17 or over is tried as an adult). Regardless of the penalty imposed by a court, a graffiti offender may be ordered to remove the graffiti and/or pay compensation to the owner of the property that was vandalised.

Where does graffiti occur? Most graffiti occurs on exposed walls and fences and is usually in the form of messages in letters or images written in spray paint, permanent marker or etched into a surface with a sharp instrument. Graffiti vandals have no respect for private or community property and no regard for the negative impacts of their actions. Their aim is usually to impress their peers and strengthen their reputations by putting their graffiti tags in as many places as possible.

Graffiti removal Graffiti that is left intact attracts more graffiti. The longer it remains, the greater the gratification for perpetrators. It also suggests that the community does not care or is unable to deal with the problem. Keeping neighbourhoods graffiti free reinforces pride in the city and helps to maintain feelings of safety and wellbeing for everyone in the community.




The best way to reduce graffiti is to remove it as quickly as possible. Local governments, businesses, organisations and volunteers commit money and resources to remove graffiti and participate in various graffiti prevention strategies.

City of Gold Coast graffiti prevention program

The City of Gold Coast (the City) spends approximately $1.3 million every year on graffiti removal and manages a range of graffiti prevention strategies. Our Graffiti Removal Team responds to an average of 10,000 graffiti removal requests each year, removing graffiti from public assets and some private property. We also provide free graffiti removal kits and support volunteer graffiti removal programs.

The City’s graffiti prevention program includes:

• education within schools about graffiti and its consequences

• identifying graffiti hotspots and installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to catch graffiti offenders

• encouraging property owners to design and create spaces that are less attractive to graffiti vandals

• working with retailers of paint products

• facilitating public art graffiti prevention projects

• supporting community service graffiti removal programs

• working with police and other agencies on crime prevention programs.

You can report graffiti for removal by using the City of Gold Coast mobile app, calling the Graffiti Hotline on 07 5581 7998 or emailing: [email protected].

Reporting graffiti offenders to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444 is also encouraged.



mailto:[email protected]


Teaching strategy Tuning in 1. Show a photograph

Show students a photograph of graffiti (e.g. from the Graffiti factsheet below or the Graffiti Prevention Education Program PowerPoint — Lower primary) and ask them what they think the image shows. a. Direct their responses to the word ‘graffiti’. b. Write the word and have students repeat the word. c. Question the students about their existing knowledge of graffiti — what they know about it,

who may have done this graffiti and where it is. d. Ask them if they have seen other examples in their neighbourhood. If they have, ask them to

describe what it looks like.

Finding out 2. Show other examples

Show students other examples of graffiti, particularly any images from their local neighbourhood. (Refer to images available as Creative commons, for example: aristotleguide.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/graffiti-covered-wall-exarheia-athens-greece.jpg farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6104004299_a0446704aa.jpg)

3. Write a list a. Places: Help students to write a list of places in their neighbourhood where graffiti might be

found (for example, public buildings, transport locations, schools, bridges, sporting venues, private fences).

b. Legal vs illegal: Ask students to consider if graffiti is a ‘legal’ or ‘illegal’ activity. Check that younger students understand what the words ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ mean. Develop a list of words that are relevant to this discussion.

Sorting out 4. Think about a definition

Ask students to think about who is responsible for graffiti. a. Draw their attention to the answer that we all have a responsibility to protect and care for our

neighbourhoods and report vandalism, including graffiti. b. Have students consider the definition of graffiti, ‘if anyone spoils a building without asking’. c. Get students to write their definition on the Pat the Painter colouring sheet included at the end

of this document.

5. Working in pairs Divide the class into pairs. a. Ask students to share with their partner what they feel about graffiti. Write it on the colouring

sheet.



http://aristotleguide.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/graffiti-covered-wall-exarheia-athens-greece.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6104004299_a0446704aa.jpg


b. Have students share where they have seen graffiti in their neighbourhood. Write it on the colouring sheet.

Going further

6. PowerPoint Using the Graffiti Prevention Education Program PowerPoint — Lower primary, introduce students to the character Pat the Painter and discuss how Pat helps to keep neighbourhoods graffiti free.

7. Small groups a. Ask students to work in small groups or pairs to record three messages/slogans that Pat the

Painter could use to keep their neighbourhood graffiti free. Write them on the colouring sheet. b. On the sheet, have students also think/write three actions they could do to assist Pat with his

work. c. Have each group share their ideas with the class.

Applying

8. Colouring sheet Give students a copy of the Pat the Painter colouring sheet, which is provided at the end of this document. a. Ask students to notice that Kirsty assists Pat the Painter. b. Invite students to colour their sheet. c. Display the finished colouring sheets in your class or local library; or send them to the City of

Gold Coast.

9. Design a superhero Point out that Pat is a superhero character. Ask students to consider what a superhero looks and acts like. a. Ask students to suggest other characters they would consider superheroes, e.g. Spiderman,

Superman. b. Discuss what characteristics each of the superheroes display: helpfulness, strength,

determination, goodness, etc. c. Have students design a superhero character who would help Pat keep their neighbourhood

graffiti free. d. Display these characters around the classroom and have the students name each one.

Follow-up activities

• Invite a police officer to your school to discuss graffiti and keeping the neighbourhood graffiti free.




• Send the students’ anti-graffiti superhero designs to the City of Gold Coast, Community Safety Team for upload to their website.

City of Gold Coast Community Safety Team Safe and Liveable Communities Branch

P 07 5581 6074 E [email protected] M PO Box 5042, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Qld, 9729



mailto:[email protected]


Australian Curriculum links

Learning areas Strand Content descriptions

Geography Geographical knowledge and understanding

Year F

The reasons why some places are special to people, and how they can be looked after (ACHGK004)

Year 1/2

The ways that space within places, such as classroom or backyard, can be rearranged to suit different activities or purposes (ACHGK008)

Cross-curriculum link: The Arts: Visual arts

Cross-curriculum priorities

Sustainability Futures OI.7 Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and responsibility, and require us to explore and understand environments.

General capabilities Element Sub-element

Literacy

Comprehending texts through listening, reading and viewing

Interpret and analyse learning area texts

Navigate and read learning area texts

Composing texts through speaking, writing and creating

Compose spoken, written, visual and multimodal learning area texts

Use language to interact with others

Grammar knowledge Express opinion and point of view

Word knowledge Understand learning area vocabulary

Visual knowledge Understand how visual elements create meaning

Critical and creative thinking

Inquiring — identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas Identify and clarify information and ideas

Generating ideas, possibilities and actions Imagine possibilities and connect ideas

Ethical understanding

Explore values, rights and responsibilities

Examine values

Explore rights and responsibilities

Consider points of view

Understanding ethical concepts and issues Explore ethical concepts in context

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), downloaded from the Australian Curriculum website in March 2014. CC-BY-SA



http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Curriculum/ContentDescription/ACHGK004

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Glossary?a=G&t=Space

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Curriculum/ContentDescription/ACHGK008


Resources

• Graffiti Prevention Education Program PowerPoint — Lower primary

City of Gold Coast graffiti prevention resources

• Graffiti prevention information cityofgoldcoast.com.au/graffiti

• Video clip Graffiti — Let’s stay on top of it cityofgoldcoast.com.au/graffiti

• Graffiti prevention education resources, colouring sheet, find-a-word puzzle cityofgoldcoast.com.au/graffiti-prevention-education-materials-13020.html

• Introducing Pat the Painter mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2012/11/28/introducing-Pat-the-painter/

(URLs active as of January 2014.)



http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/graffiti

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/graffiti

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/graffiti-prevention-education-materials-13020.html

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2012/11/28/introducing-Pat-the-painter/


What is graffiti? Graffiti is the unauthorised act of marking other people’s property without their permission. It is illegal, ugly and expensive to remove. Graffiti affects us all, it can lower property values, make people feel unsafe, reduce business patronage and encourage other types of crime.

Where does graffiti occur? Most graffiti occurs on exposed walls and fences and is usually in the form of messages in letters or images, written in spray paint, permanent marker or etched into a surface with a sharp instrument. Graffiti vandals have no respect for private or community property and no regard for the negative impacts of their actions. Their aim is usually to impress their peers and strengthen their reputations, by putting their graffiti tags in as many places as possible.

Graffiti is a crime Graffiti is illegal in Australia. It is a persistent problem that attracts a variety of penalties. In Queensland, graffiti is a crime under the Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 s469 “Wilful Damage” Any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property is guilty of an offence.

(1) If the property in question is in a public place, or is visible from a public place, and the destruction or damage is caused by (a) spraying, writing, drawing, marking or otherwise applying paint or another marking substance; or (b) scratching or etching; the offender commits a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years. (3) The court may order the offender to perform community service, including for example, removing graffiti from property; and/or may order the offender to pay compensation to any person.

Consequences Graffiti offences are treated seriously by Police, all levels of government and the justice system. Juvenile offenders (aged 12-17 years) may be sentenced to a term in a detention centre, given a graffiti removal order or given a period of probation (note: a person aged 17 or over is tried as an adult). Regardless of the penalty imposed by a court, a graffiti offender may be ordered to remove the graffiti and/or pay compensation to the owner of the property that was vandalised.

In Queensland graffiti is a crime under the Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 s469 “Wilful Damage”




Graffiti removal Graffiti that is left intact attracts more graffiti. The longer it remains the greater the gratification for perpetrators. It also suggests that the community does not care or is unable to deal with the problem. Keeping neighbourhoods graffiti free reinforces pride in the city and helps to maintain feelings of safety and well-being for everyone in the community. The best way to reduce graffiti is to remove it as quickly as possible. Local governments, businesses, organisations and volunteers commit money and resources to graffiti removal and participate in various graffiti prevention strategies.

© Copyright, Council of the City of Gold Coast (Council) 2001-2014 Photographer: Sam Lindsay

City of Gold Coast graffiti prevention program The City of Gold Coast (the City) spends approximately $1.3 million every year on graffiti removal and manages a range of graffiti prevention strategies. Our Graffiti Removal Team responds to an average of 10,000 graffiti removal requests each year, removing graffiti from public assets and some private property. We also provide free graffiti removal kits and supports volunteer graffiti removal programs.

The City’s graffiti prevention program includes:

• education within schools about graffiti and its consequences

• identifying graffiti hotspots and installing close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to catch graffiti offenders

• encouraging property owners to design and create spaces that are less attractive to graffiti vandals (CPTED)

• working with retailers of paint products

• facilitating public art graffiti prevention projects

• supporting community service graffiti removal programs

• working with police and other agencies on crime prevention programs.

You can report graffiti for removal: A City of Gold Coast mobile app P 07 5581 7998 (Graffiti Hotline) E [email protected]

Reporting graffiti offenders to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444 is also encouraged.

Graffiti Prevention Mural by Libby Harward © Copyright, Council of the City of Gold Coast (Council) 2001-2014 Photographer: Sam Lindsay



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