In Major Jump From Last Year, More Than 2,300 Pieces of Graffiti Found on UWS: See Where

Different forms of graffiti on the Upper West Side. Photos courtesy of Gale Brewer’s office. By Gus Saltonstall There are more than 2,300 pieces of graffiti on a stretch of the Upper West Side, according to a recent survey from a local elected official who called it a “growing problem” in the neighborhood. Councilmember Gale Brewer’s team of staff and interns conducted a survey this summer from July 1 to July 12, to count the pieces of graffiti along the avenues south to north from West 54th to 96th streets, from Riverside Drive to Central Park West, and also on every side street from west to east along the major cross streets, including 57th, 72nd, 79th, 86th, and 96th streets. Brewer’s office found pieces of graffiti, which includes stickers and posters, on 2,434 structures throughout the stretch of Upper West Side blocks. Nearly every street surveyed in the neighborhood had at least one piece of graffiti. The number is way up from the 370 pieces of graffiti Brewer’s office found within a similar stretch of blocks last summer. The elected official said the neighborhood graffiti count was more comprehensive this year, as they spent more days conducting the survey and...