Graffiti, whether gang-related or not, has a negative effect on a resident’s feeling of safety in their neighborhood. It creates a perception (whether factual or not) that crime is on the rise and gangs are moving into the area.
When graffiti appears and is left up indefinitely, it sends a signal that people just don’t care, which in turn attracts other forms of crime and delinquency to the neighborhood. Graffiti drains tax dollars. Funds that could and should be used for schools, roads, parks, and other community needs, are used to clean graffiti in public spaces.