As the anticipation for major events like the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics builds, residents and business owners in downtown Los Angeles are increasingly alarmed by the rampant graffiti that seems to be diminishing the vibrancy of their neighborhood. With the city’s exposure to millions of visitors on the horizon, the fear is palpable that this urban art is tarnishing LA’s reputation.
Graffiti Overwhelming the Streets
From sidewalks and fences to even the facades of historical buildings, nearly every surface in some areas of downtown has become a canvas for graffiti taggers. Some graffiti marks are so high up that onlookers are left wondering just how the culprits reached those heights. A tagged van parked on the street further exemplifies the sprawling nature of this issue.
Carlos Vera, a new café owner in the bustling district, recently faced the unsettling sight of graffiti right outside his establishment. He expresses concern that such vandalism undermines the European-inspired ambiance he aims to cultivate within his café. “You don’t see graffiti like this over in Europe,” he remarked, reflecting on the atmosphere he hopes to create.
Kevin Montalbo, who assists in maintaining a nearby apartment building, describes the daily struggle to keep up with the relentless tagging. His team finds themselves repainting surfaces each morning, only to see new tags appear within mere minutes. “It’s a cat and mouse game,” he said, summarizing the exhausting endeavor.
A Community Reacts and Takes Action
The Historic Core Business Improvement District has a dedicated graffiti abatement team operating every day to campaign against the tide of tagging. Blair Besten, who leads this initiative, points to a striking increase in graffiti incidents, with crews covering up 9,483 tags in 2023—a significant rise from the previous year’s total of 31,590 tags.
Besten highlights the impact of the widely publicized “Graffiti Towers,” two high-rise buildings that became a hotspot for taggers. After receiving national media attention, she notes an influx of taggers to the surrounding area, causing concern among local business owners and residents alike.
While Vera acknowledges the beauty of art, he draws a clear line between appreciated expression and mere vandalism. “I think art and graffiti can be really cool, but what’s happening here isn’t art; it’s just senseless scribbling,” he lamented. His message to those responsible? Put down the spray paint and respect the charm of downtown Los Angeles.
