Between 2011 and 2016 there were 40,317 graffiti incidents reported in the United States. Artists and civilians are using art in a wrong way and it is through graffiti.  Medellin is no stranger to this escalating situation as its walls are cluttered with cheap drawings. Graffiti should be considered as an act of vandalism because it’s negatively impacting the city.

Graffiti should be considered illegal because it’s being done in public areas. Vandals are damaging spaces that everyone can enjoy through the paintings. According to the New York Times, “Anyone who can avoid a graffiti-bombed park or commercial thoroughfare will do so, since tagging shows that an area is dominated by vandals who may be involved in other crimes as well.” Messages are offensive and make people not value the place where they are. These vandals are leaving insignificant messages that can cause controversy in the community. Medellin has recognized this issue and is avoiding this situation by filling the streets with real art.

This type of “art” is also damaging the city and even the economy because of the useless tags people leave on the walls. “Graffitis In Medellín may be done sometimes with good intentions, however the lack professionalism makes the city looked vandalized and disorganized,” Rodrigo Quintero, Medellin citizen said. Credibility in Medellin shops has dropped do to the fact that graffities appear all over their doors.

Citizens are using this media to criticize the government, companies and even towards individuals. These types of thoughts have to be regulated since they are not being taken into account in the environment that we find ourselves. Also, government has to reinvest and rebuild the wall, which can cause an increase in taxes. In accordance to herald tribune “Graffiti is a serious crime that impacts all members of the community. Individuals use graffiti to mark and establish identity and recognition among their peers.”

Even though people say graffiti works as a release of anxiety, demonstration of inner self, and shows creativity, this type of art is being used in a wrong way. Citizens are not taking full advantage of the message they could transmit, instead they are littering the walls of Medellin with insignificant doodles.

In order to improve urban lifestyle and development, impromptu graffities should be banned and better handled given that they are acts of vandalism and severe aggravation to the community. Graffities are forms of expression and are by no means ugly or damaging when drawn by artist that intend to leave a strong messages captured in the city. The ideal graffiti should decor the city and complement the development.