Maple Rd. & Miller Ave

What is and isn’t graffiti could become more important, as the city of Ann Arbor announced today that it will be stepping up enforcement of the city’s graffiti ordinance starting Nov. 1, 2011. The ordinance was revised on Jan. 20, 2009.

The action comes in response to what the city describes as in a press release as “an increase in the number of graffiti incidences, which detracts from the aesthetic appeal of our community, can decrease property values and has a negative impact on the sense of safety and security for residents and visitors ”

Chapter 106 Nuisances, Section 9.6 Graffiti language: No person who owns or otherwise controls or manages any property shall permit or allow any Graffiti to be or remain on any surface or structure on the property beyond the time indicated in a notice, which is to be no less than (7) calendar days after the notice is posted on the property or delivered to the property owner and no less than (9) calendar days if the notice is mailed. If removal of the graffiti by the date set in the notice is not possible due to weather or other reasonable cause, then on or before the date set in the notice the person to whom the notice is issued or his or her agent shall contact the City as indicated in the notice to request an extension.

I saw that too! What does it mean?!?!! :)

I saw it a few weeks ago. It made me smile. I think it means “smile when you see this.”

“What is and isn’t graffiti …”

Yes, that is important because it is a graffiti ‘clean up’ ordinance. I wonder if a property owner could get into trouble with the city if they hired an artist to ‘decorate’ a blank wall and the city sends them a notice to remove it. (And just who is empowered to write the notices anyway?)

Another bad and vaguely written feel good law with the goal of turning Ann Arbor into a sweet little Pleasantville. Thanks to The Mayor and City Council for yet another embarrassing laughing stock moment while they continue to focus on such silliness and not on real issues, like the homeless, streets, parks, et. al. It’s Saturday Night Live comedy skits as metaphor for governing decisions. Maybe it’s time for local term limits.

I concluded it was not graffiti because the image resembled clip art, and was pretty precisely duplicated on both sides of the sign. It shows the work of someone with a plan or a stencil, possibly good drawing skills, but very bad in the application of paint (runny and drippy.) Graffitisti may have no drawing skills, but they are well practiced in applying paint—therefore, I think it’s not graffiti as defacement, but the property owner may feel otherwise.

Stencilled graffiti are actually quite common, so it’s not as easy to tell as that. It’s like plants and weeds–graffiti is art you don’t want, or something.

Well, there is such a thing as graffiti art. You could even call it public art. abc highlights the troublesome gray areas.

If I could post some pictures, I could show you some excellent examples of street art in alleys and on buildings in the city I currently call my home.