What crime involves defacing property with paint?

The crime that specifically involves defacing property with paint falls under the category of graffiti. Graffiti is typically characterized by the application of paint, markers, or other substances to surfaces in a way that is unauthorized and is often viewed as a form of vandalism. It usually entails artistic or expressive designs, but when done without the property owner’s consent, it leads to legal repercussions.

While vandalism is a broader term that encompasses various acts of defacing or damaging property, graffiti specifically refers to the act of mark-making or art creation on surfaces using paint. This makes graffiti the most precise answer for the act of defacing property with paint.

Destruction of private property and criminal mischief also encompass acts that damage or alter someone else's property, but they are not limited to the use of paint. Therefore, graffiti is the most accurate choice in this context.