Graffiti Tracking System - New Logo

Is Your Child a Tagger?

Graffiti triggers crime, littering, study shows

Signs of disorder in a neighborhood can lead to other broken social norms

By Jeanna Bryner
Senior Writer, MSNBC

"The mere presence of graffiti doubles the number of people littering and stealing in a neighborhood, new research suggests.

The results, which are detailed in the Nov. 21 issue of the journal Science, support and expand on the so-called broken windows theory, which forms the backbone of many crime prevention programs in major cities such as New York.

The theory suggests that signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti and litter, can open the door to individuals breaking other social norms and rules. In New York's "Quality of Life Campaign," adopted in the mid-1990s, city filth, including graffiti, street litter and signs of vandalism, were removed. And petty crime rates did drop..." FULL STORY

Is you government or law enforcement agency, public works department or citizen's group ready to stop graffiti crime in its tracks? Then we need to speak about Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System.

Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System (GTS) is a centralized, web-based application that helps multiple users document instances of graffiti vandalism, manage investigations, track graffiti removal requests and compile actionable intelligence - all through the Internet! With GTS, any authorized user with access to the web can open and manage a case. GTS results in more substantial arrests and prosecutions of taggers, larger restitution payments, and identification of gang migration patterns.

Blue Archer originally developed GTS as a custom application for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, but now the software is available to clients throughout the world.

Graffiti Tracking System - Media Exposure

Web program helps South Bay police track, arrest taggers

WEB-BASED ANTI-GRAFFITI PROGRAM HELPS COUNTY'S POLICE AGENCIES SHARE INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY, ARREST THOSE RESPONSIBLE

By Mark Gomez, Mercury News, Article Launched: 09/01/2008 09:53:35 AM PDT

"Soon after joining the San Jose Police Department's anti-graffiti unit, Eric Hove saw a need for a more effective way to chase down the tagging crews and gang members who cause about $1.8 million in damage to the city every year.

So the computer-savvy cop did some research and found a Web-based program that he believes will make a serious dent in the South Bay's growing graffiti problem. Created by a Pittsburgh-based company, the Graffiti Tracking System will connect nearly every agency in Santa Clara County, allowing law enforcement officials to quickly and easily share information on taggers who often strike in more than one jurisdiction.

"Hopefully we can get a higher amount of arrests and better quality cases throughout the region and tie these people together so they get full accountability for what they've done," said Hove, who expects the system to be fully running this fall.

The Web-based program — which is replacing San Jose police's antiquated paper filing system — will allow investigators to download digital photos, receive e-mail alerts and more easily share information on the vandals who spray paint graffiti on sound walls, billboards and just about anything else in the public's view. Police track the taggers based on the signatures they typically leave with their handiwork, like artists signing a painting, which are often initials to represent a crew or a nickname for an individual..."
Full Article here.

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San Jose police arrest four alleged gang taggers

By Mark Gomez, Mercury News, Article Launched: 09/07/2008 08:11:56 PM PDT

"JBF, a street gang known for spray-painting its initials on sound walls, freeway signs and private property throughout San Jose, has long been a thorn in the side of the San Jose Police Department's anti-graffiti unit, causing about $200,000 in damage every year.

But San Jose police recently arrested four of those gang members after reportedly catching them in the act of layering spray paint up and down a sound wall near Interstate 280. Police hope the decision to file felony vandalism charges with a gang enhancement will put a dent in the citywide damage caused by members of JBF, which stands for Just Bustin' Funk..."
Full Article here.

King of Graffiti Sentenced In Court

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The man accused of doing thousands of dollars worth of damage with graffiti across Pittsburgh was sentenced today in court. Daniel Montano, 22, was sentenced to two and a half to five years of jail time. [Full Story]

Don't mess with a Graffiti Tracking System (GTS)-equipped adversary!

San Jose Police Crack Down on Graffiti

SAN JOSE (KRON) - A new graffiti-tracking system [developed by Blue Archer, Inc.] is helping the San Jose Police Department's Metro Graffiti Team fight vandalism.

By using a new database that tracks graffiti tags, police were able to link several cases, including the tagging of a Winchester Mystery House sign, to a vehicle stop made by the Los Gatos Police Department who were following up on graffiti vandals.

With this information, police were able to serve a search warrant at a home on Purdue Drive in Saratoga. One suspect was taken into custody while another was apprehended later. One of them admitted to vandalism.

Both suspects were booked into county jail on counts of felony vandalism.

(Watch the original video - which includes my main man Officer Erik H. - here. Copyright 2008, KRON 4, All rights reserved. Posted: July 18, 2008 11:42 AM PDT)

Graffiti PR

Brian Trdina thinks I'm a media whore. Well, when it comes to promoting my clients and my company's products - I AM! Because any publicity is good publicity, and when the public stops talking about you, you're no longer relevant. HA!

All joking aside, my primary client for Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System (GTS) is the San Jose Police Department. Officer Erik Hove is my counterpart there and he and I spent many months refining the GTS software and navigating the complex purchasing process that is in place for city government.

The end result was a greatly enhanced version of GTS that is newley-deployable via the web and the first regional, commercially-developed anti-graffiti database in history. GTS will be in all of the patrol cars used by SJPD and is already credited with facilitating felony arrests (convictions impending).

Officer Hove recently appeared in a KTVU news story, which is available here.

Two great quotes:

• “[Graffiti] has been one of the most difficult crimes to solve until now!”
  
  
• “[San Jose] Police have some new help – some new high tech help – in leading a regional effort against taggers.”

Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System (GTS) is a centralized, web-based application that helps multiple users document instances of graffiti vandalism, manage investigations, track graffiti removal requests and compile actionable intelligence - all through the Internet! With GTS, any authorized user with access to the web can open and manage a case. GTS results in more substantial arrests and prosecutions of taggers, larger restitution payments, and identification of gang migration patterns.

Blue Archer originally developed GTS as a custom application for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, but now the software is available to clients throughout the world.