How did New York City respond to graffiti on subway cars in the 1970s?

In the late 20th century, New York City became a focal point for graffiti, where elaborate, multicolored spray-painted designs on subway cars and building walls became defining features of the urban landscape.1

While some viewed these works as an expressive art form, most jurisdictions—including New York—classified the practice as illegal vandalism. During the 1980s and 1990s, the city and other authorities implemented aggressive measures to eliminate graffiti, driven by the fear that its presence would lead to the debasement of communities. To combat this, significant public resources were allocated toward abatement and clean-up efforts. Additionally, some cities attempted to channel this creative energy by introducing mural programs or designated "free walls," which provided legal spaces for urban youth to express themselves without resorting to unauthorized marking of public property.1