If you’ve been following local NYC news lately, you might have come across the recent article reporting a significant rise in graffiti on the Upper West Side after Councilmember Gale Brewer and her team of interns spent their summers AGAIN counting all graffiti in the area, including stickers and posters.
However, this sensational headline is just more of a distraction than a meaningful discourse. The reality is that politicians use graffiti as a convenient scapegoat for deeper, more systemic issues. Focusing excessively on graffiti can divert attention from pressing concerns such as affordable housing, homelessness, and community safety—issues that have a far more significant impact on residents’ daily lives.
The article’s dramatic statistics don’t provide much context. What kind of graffiti are we talking about? Is it political protest, artistic expression, or simple vandalism? Understanding these nuances is crucial. Not all graffiti is created equal—some forms may even contribute positively to the community by reflecting cultural and artistic diversity. Regardless, here are the findings:
- 70 percent of the graffiti was found on Department of Transportation property
- 18 percent on Department of Sanitation property
- 5.5 percent on FDNY property
- 5.3 percent of United States Postal Service property
By the numbers...
- West 72nd Street intersection: 150 pieces of graffiti
- West 79th Street intersection: 119 pieces of graffiti
- West 86th Street intersection: 134 pieces of graffiti
- West 96th Street intersection: 163 pieces of graffiti
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