What to do with graffiti vandals
More teens were picked up in Nashua for vandalizing property with spray paint and permanent markers. It’s a problem in Nashua and Manchester, but also in small towns. What to do?
I don’t like the idea of jailing kids whose only crime is graffiti vandalism. There must be better alternatives that would deter this behavior without helping turn vandals into hardened criminals by mixing them with thieves, drug dealers, gang members, etc. Here are a few possibilities:
* Vandalize their property. If a kid is convicted of graffiti vandalism, his room should be painted with Lawrence Welk images. His car should be painted pink with a glittery Hannah Montana logo on one side and a Powerpuff Girls logo on the other. His personal belongings should be defaced with scrawled messages such as “I love kittens” and “Star Trek forever!”
* Make them scrub it off. Generally, teens don’t have money to pay for professional graffiti removal if they’re caught. So make them remove it. If it takes six weeks to scrub a “tag” off a stop sign or store wall, too bad. You broke it, you fix it. I’m sure there are plenty of citizens who would be happy to volunteer to supervise the cleanup.
* Make them read literature. Given the choice between paying a fine, spending a few weeks in jail, or reading Shakespeare, I bet most vandals would choose the fine or prison. We have plenty of retired teachers who miss their old jobs. And we have lots of kids who’ve skated through or dropped out of school. Don’t send them to jail; send them to English class. They’ll never want to commit a crime again. And they might learn something.
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Fourth alternative: pass legislation which forces the parents/guardians to scrub it off. As you (Drew) said “You broke it, you fix it.”
Comment by Howard — November 6, 2009 @ 8:51 am
There is a simple solution to the graffiti problem, and it need not be a burden on the taxpayers. The solution is condoned by the U.S. Supreme Court (1970).
Comment by Jack Baker — November 7, 2009 @ 1:46 pm