Work

Graffiti Writers Choose Locations That Optimize Exposure

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the spatial decision-making of graffiti writers when selecting target locations, examining how street segment characteristics influence exposure. Extending the rational choice perspective to expressive offending, we collected data through Systematic Social Observation in Ghent’s city center in November 2017, covering 12,655 graffiti instances across 2,233 street segments. The SSO involved counting graffiti items and public facilities likely to attract crowds, and measuring street network centrality. Conditional logit models assessed the impact of these characteristics on graffiti location choices. Results show that street network centrality and the presence of bars, night shops, residential units, and schools significantly increased graffiti writers’ preferences. Our findings suggest that graffiti writers aim to maximize exposure, highlighting the rational choice perspective’s relevance for expressive offending.

Source: Crime & Delinquency

DOI: 10.1177/00111287241287133

Authors: K. Kuralarasan, Wim Bernasco, Christophe Vandeviver

Institutions: Ghent University, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Public Spaces through Art

Subfield: Urban Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: green

Funders: Universiteit Gent, Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent