Crime experts may need to consider redefining ‘graffiti’.

I believe they are mixing it up with mindless defacing of property, which may be linked to other crimes, such as markings used as a gang signal to mark territory or to serve as an indicator for gang-related activity.

Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

In modern times, spray-paint, normal paint and markers have become the most commonly used materials. Growing up in Northern Ireland, graffiti was painted to show loyalties and pride, and to denounce wrong. In a recent trip to Eritrea, graffiti is used to record the struggles spanning some 40 years of wars.

In South Africa, graffiti was a way to express emotions under apartheid, when having a public voice could bring the full weight of an oppressive government down upon the speaker.

Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages, like the examples above. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries.

Graffiti has since evolved into a pop culture existence often related to underground hip hop music and b-boying creating a lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.

With the many different types and styles of graffiti and as it is rapidly developing into its own art form, and being reviled by many authorities while also subject to protection, sometimes within the same jurisdiction, a steering committee would be a democratic way to identify the terms for the experts, so the usage doesn’t offend artists in the future.

I challenge city officials and law enforcement experts to participate with the artists, to define what it is that crime experts are trying to label and then come up with a more appropriate name.

I am confident that both the city and police would agree, that generalization is not fair.

As we in and above middle age remember being judged by our music, we can not commit the same injustices on younger people.

I am sure that the city and police can appreciate that we do not compare them to their less than reputable counterparts, essentially painting all with the same brush, or in this case, spray can.

William Perry

Victoria, B.C.

Council ‘should be ashamed’ for proposed levy

Re: Homebuilders plan proposed levy (News, Oct. 23)

So Saanich council wants to extort even more money from property owners, for “affordable” government housing projects – a historically high risk activity – while continuing to obstruct use of secondary suites and continuing to micro-manage development instead of getting out of the way of people who want to produce more housing, while protecting them with a better justice system.

Then councillor Leif Wergeland uses unearned value created by government action as his justification for more government interference with productive individuals.

Clearly their mentality is collectivist control – they should be ashamed of themselves for wanting to force what has never worked for honest humans.

I urge the voters responsible for electing such conceited fools to act to reduce the size of council and bureaucracy, and if they really want collectivist housing to direct those savings to it.

Keith Sketchley

Saanich, B.C.