Gangs use graffiti to communicate messages that all members understand, to identify specific individuals, and to mark territory. Further, graffiti is employed to display gang existence and relationships and the street identity of gang members. In Philadelphia in particular, graffiti indicates gang territorial ownership and control. In general, the gang subculture understands graffiti, and the use of graffiti represents an important form of symbolic behavior in the gang subculture. Through graffiti, gang members can receive status within the gang by accomplishing difficult exploits. Graffiti also represents a way of maintaining order in an environment of danger and change. 5 references