Schenectady doesn’t have enough police to put a stop to the growing number of graffiti artists who are bespoiling walls, signs and the sides of building all over town. It may be a serious quality-of-life issue, but no one is getting physically hurt by it, so it simply doesn’t carry the priority that other gang crime does. Still, the city needs to do something to try to stop it, and Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard’s plan might help. Blanchard wants to ban the sale of spray paint and permanent markers to anyone under the age of 18; merchants would be required to ask for an ID before selling either product to a youthful person. This hardly seems like too much to ask of hardware or drugstores. Another element of Blanchard’s proposal is more troubling: It would force merchants to move those products behind the counter, so teens banned from buying them couldn’t instead steal them. This could impose quite a burden on stores with space limitations, and it would greatly inconvenience adult customers. If a purchase ban is implemented and spray paint and marking pens suddenly are suddenly targeted by thieves, merchants can be counted on to pay closer attention to who visits those shelves. Anyone caught shoplifting them should be prosecuted fully — as should anyone caught “tagging” in the city. Blanchard’s plan isn’t a panacea, but it probably couldn’t hurt with Schenectady’s growing graffiti problem.
Did we forget about on-line ordering.....graffiti folks aren't looking to purchase their wares legally....and I'm sure dont care what the stores do....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY City considers ideas to clean up tags, graffi ti Paint sale ban among suggestions BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.
The Schenectady City Council is considering the comprehensive graffiti-fighting program that residents have been wanting for years. The idea came up when city officials questioned the effectiveness of a new law regarding graffiti proposed by Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard. Earlier this month, Blanchard suggested making it illegal for minors to purchase spray paint and wide-tip permanent markers. When city officials said that might not significantly reduce graffiti, Blanchard and Mayor Brian U. Stratton suggested several other methods, from painting murals to giving paint to teenagers who would cover up all the graffiti they find. Council members said they want to do something to stop the gang tags and drawings that have appeared on everything from derelict buildings to City Hall bathrooms. Several drawings have even been painted high above the message marquee at the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard. The council will hold a public hearing on the issue at 6 p.m. on July 9 before taking action. It’s not yet clear which methods the council would adopt, but Stratton seemed willing to get creative. “I’ve heard of cities that even erect a blank wall and hold a graffi ti competition for the kids who can’t get it out of their system to come and knock themselves out,” he said during Monday’s meeting. Blanchard added that murals could be painted in places that are often tagged. “Apparently they won’t tag murals,” she said. Inner-city youth counselor Judy Atchinson asked last year for permission to paint murals on city walls to combat graffiti. The youth in her arts program, Quest, have already painted many murals at their headquarters on Hamilton Hill. She thought their art would be the best way to get rid of the graffiti that regularly adorns the long walls of the equipment shed at Jerry Burrell Park. She even offered to provide the paint, but said city officials weren’t interested. But the proposal has gained steam. Stockade residents recently asked for murals on the underpasses in their neighborhood and said they would keep bugging the city until someone agreed to try it and see if it worked. That wasn’t the only suggestion Blanchard proposed that many residents have championed for years. She also suggested creating a graffiti-busters group, possibly run by teenagers. County legislators are working on the same idea. They want to add graffiti busters to their summer youth jobs program, paying teenagers to patrol the city and paint over graffiti as quickly as possible. Councilman Frank Maurizio was intrigued by the proposals. “This (age limit) may not be as effective as we want,” he said of Blanchard’s original idea to ban minors from buying spray paint and markers. “I’m wondering if there isn’t a more comprehensive approach, like these items you’ve suggested.” He added that he has no objection to also restricting the purchase of spray paint and markers. “It can’t hurt,” he said. Stratton agreed. “This is a small step, but an important one,” he said. “If you walk through the alleys, every garage has been tagged.”
But the proposal has gained steam. Stockade residents recently asked for murals on the underpasses in their neighborhood and said they would keep bugging the city until someone agreed to try it and see if it worked.
What are we to do with the RR overpasses in Rotterdam??? Anyone?....anyone?....Beuhler.....
Really what difference would it make??.....How about painting R-O-T-T-E-R-D-A-M.....no one wants to hear it about the water towers......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Logged
