Graffiti turns up regularly at Ventura,Moorpark, and Oxnard College campuses,yet the police and maintenance response is so efficient that students often underestimate the extent of the problem.

It is easy to overlook the impact of graffiti, and to scoff at those who seemingly over-dramatize this offense with inflated legal words like “vandalism” and “defamation of property.” Looking around campus, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal; who can deny that it’s sort of fun to read those random riddles or messages that always seem to turn up on the inside of the bathroom stalls, and who hasn’t done something to physically leave his or her mark somewhere, at sometime in life?

Graffiti as an art form is recognizedand respected by many groups and individuals in today’s culture. In addition, college is prime opportunity for students to express themselves, and to develop their opinions and ideas. However, a lot of time and effort is spent to ensure that our campusesare optimally conducive to educational experience.

James Botting, the chief of police for our college district, explained that before the vandalism can be removed, it is photographed, studied, and potentially identified. Campus police on-site often try to read and interpret the graffiti, and in many cases send the pictures and information to investigators at the Oxnard or Ventura City Police Departments. The main concern of police is that the graffiti is gang-related, and may instigate violence on campusor in the community.

Despite all the trouble that is caused by a single act of artistic vandalism, the efforts rarely lead to catching the offender; all they can do is work to undo and prevent further damage. Botting described graffiti as “an insidious attack on property,” which is not only destructive, but also a perceivable insult to the offender’s entire school, fellow students included.

As students, artists, and just as adults, we need to learn how to make ourselves heard in a way that commands respect, instead of in this ever-so-common practice that only demonstrates our immaturity and lack of respect for our peers and communities.