Downtown Los Angeles is facing a massive surge in graffiti tagging that local business owners and maintenance crews fear could tarnish the city’s image as it prepares to host the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics. According to the Historic Core Business Improvement District (BID), the volume of tags being covered up skyrocketed from 9,483 in 2023 to 31,590 last year.
Why is graffiti surging in downtown Los Angeles?
The increase in tagging appears to be fueled by a “cat and mouse game” between vandals and maintenance teams. Kevin Montalbo, who assists with the upkeep of a downtown apartment building, notes that the effort to keep surfaces clean is often short-lived. He reports that even after his team paints over graffiti in the morning, new markings can appear within 30 to 40 minutes.
A major factor in this trend may be the visibility of certain landmarks. Blair Besten, who leads the Historic Core BID, suggests that the “Graffiti Towers”—a pair of heavily tagged high-rises that gained national attention—have acted as a magnet for taggers. Besten noted that when the towers made the news, it brought more people to the area; if they couldn’t reach the towers, they simply tagged the rest of the neighborhood instead.
How is the tagging affecting local business owners?
For those trying to establish a specific brand or atmosphere, the constant presence of graffiti is a significant deterrent. Carlos Vera, a recent owner of a downtown café, expressed frustration that the tagging outside his business appeared almost overnight. He is working to cultivate a European-inspired atmosphere, but the local environment is making that difficult.
“Over in Europe, you never see graffiti like this,” Vera said. While he noted that he personally finds art and graffiti “pretty cool,” he made a clear distinction between creative expression and the current situation. To Vera, the current state of the streets isn’t art—it is “just a bunch of scribbles.”
What does the data say about the scale of the problem?
The scale of the issue is best understood through the recent jump in reported incidents. The Historic Core BID has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of work required to maintain the district. The following comparison highlights the rapid escalation:
| Year | Tags Covered by BID Crews |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9,483 |
| Last Year | 31,590 |
This massive spike puts immense pressure on abatement teams, especially when dealing with difficult surfaces. Besten mentioned that tagging trees is particularly frustrating because removing the paint requires specialized, skillful work to avoid permanent damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the “Graffiti Towers”?
They are a pair of high-rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles that became heavily tagged and drew national media attention, which Blair Besten believes has attracted more taggers to the surrounding neighborhood.
How often is graffiti removed in downtown LA?
The Historic Core BID abatement team works seven days a week. However, some maintenance workers report that new tags can appear as quickly as 30 to 40 minutes after a surface has been cleaned.
Is all graffiti considered art by local business owners?
Not necessarily. While some owners appreciate art, others, like café owner Carlos Vera, distinguish between actual art and what they describe as “just a bunch of scribbles” that undermine the local atmosphere.
What do you think about the current state of downtown Los Angeles? Do you think the city is prepared for the influx of visitors for the upcoming major sporting events? Let us know in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more local news updates.
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