Problem:  Areas of Philadelphia were badly affected with graffiti.  
Businesses were disturbed by the resulting atmosphere and by the 
cost of continual cleanup.

Proposed solution:  The city developed the Philadelphia Anti-
Graffiti Network (PAGN).  Thes program attacked the problem on 
several fronts.  On the enforcement front, they worked with the 
police to develop a program to find offenders, promoted more 
severe penalties for violators, and encouraged passage of a law 
restricting the sale of spray paint.  As alternative approaches, 
they helped to develop an amnesty program to get offenders to 
pledge not to continue, and they promoted cleanup as an 
alternative punishemnt to incarceration.  More importantly, 
artists were involved in working with the graffiti artists in 
putting murals throughout the city.  The murals, located 
throughout the city, have provided an outlet for the artistic 
abilities of some of the former graffiti painters.  The program is 
supported by individuals and organizations that volunteer to help 
with the cleanup process, and by companies that donate supplies.  
Most of the governmental funding for the program comes from the 
city.

Evaluation:  The program has been a success at eliminating much of 
the graffiti in the city.  The murals have improved the appearance 
of much of the city.  

Contacts:  Timothy Spencer, Executive Director, Philadelphia Anti-
Graffiti Network, Inc., 1220 Sansom St, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania  19107.

Citation:  "Innovations in State and Local Government 1991."  New 
York:  The Ford Foundation, 1991.  pp 20-21.

Keywords:  graffiti vandalism youth services urban beautification

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