Neighborhood Graffiti in Elmont

There is a major difference between graffiti and street art.

Street art is typically seen as an image or a collection of images that may be beautiful, elaborate, inspiring and pleasing to the eye.

Street art is usually done by a skilled artist, who is sponsored by a local government or civic group, and it’s considered a formal approach to reclaiming neighborhood spaces.

Street Mural on Hillside Avenue, in Jamaica, Queens. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

Graffiti, on the other hand, is best described as an informal art form, born out of a counter-cultural underground movement.

Graffiti limits an individual to what he or she can do with a spray can, on the spot (Herron). Their goal is to “tag” or “throw up” pieces across the breadth of a city, often under time constraints imposed by the risk of fines and imprisonment (Herron).

The fact of the matter is, graffiti is widespread and largely uncurtailed throughout the Elmont community.

Take a look:

20150414_112913 — Abandoned Gas Station on Elmont Road. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

20150414_113303 — Coin Laundromat at Elmont Road and Cromer Road West. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

20150414_113259 — Alley behind 99 Cents Time and Coin Laundromat at Elmont Road and Cromer Road West. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

20150516_133901 — Neighborhood store at Remsen Street and Hempstead Turnpike. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

20150509_181946 — Elmont staple, Charmayne’s Florist, along Linden Boulevard. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

20150513_233724 — Neighborhood Take-Out Restaurant at Elmont Road and Freeman Avenue. (Photo Courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

Side of an office building at Freeman Avenue and Elmont Road. (Photo courtesy of The Elmont Excelsior)

Recently, Town and County officials have partnered with law enforcement to take a stand. “Nassau County will not tolerate these detestable acts,” said County Executive Edward Mangano. “Vigilance is key to victory,” said Town Supervisor Kate Murray, “and I encourage neighbors to join us in this fight by spreading our message and help us apprehend the criminals that are defacing our communities.”

The Town and County are teaming up with Crime Stoppers, and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of a graffiti vandal.

Neighbors and students can report graffiti vandals anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.