Like This Is Going To Help?

In a misguided attempt to curb a growing graffiti problem, my local city council just passed a law that would fine vendors $250 for the sale of spray pain to minors.

Get real, guys.

While an optimistic gesture, what have similar restrictions done to reduce underage drinking, smoking, attendance at R-rated movies or purchase of inappropriate video games?

And any law that punishes the enabler only serves to…well, punish the enabler. It does little if anything to stop those who commit the crimes from committing them over and over and over, and empowering them to, eventually, commit worse crimes.

Now, I’m not saying that Doom is a gateway drug. But if a kid gets away with tagging the wall behind the hardware store, then hunkers down with his buddies and a few beers some older kid or a fake ID bought for them, that only sends a signal that laws don’t apply to him and he can go ahead and do anything his moral compass allows.

Which will end up costing a hell of a lot more than $250.

How about trying to catch them instead? Here’s a clue: they smell like Krylon. They come out at night, and really, really seem to like broad, empty vertical spaces like sides of buildings and parked panel trucks. And they have to carry their spray cans in something. And often these containers are stained with overspray.

Which also smell like Krylon.

There’s something the police could train their K9 squad to sniff out. I know that the cops can’t be everywhere at once and I’ll raise many hackles if I even mention security cameras, but there are some more obvious graffiti magnets than others.

And instead of putting the blame on those who sell the stuff (who’s to say that all taggers are under 18, anyway?), put some effort into catching these kids in the act. Make them pay for the cleanup or sentence them to clean it up themselves.

Or, instead of condemning them as criminals, how’s this:

Give graffiti artists their due. Many of them are extremely talented, and many rap albums, etc. use graffiti in their designs. And who hasn’t seen or heard about the brilliant designs painted on New York’s #7 train? One episode of a past season of “The Apprentice” had as one task to direct the design of a graffiti mural that would sell kids on a particular video game. We celebrate other arts, why not recognize tagging for what it is? An attempt to make one’s mark. Have a festival for it. Hell, if there can be a festival in Woodstock, New York celebrating piercing and body art, why not a graffiti fest? Take a park, build some sturdy partitions, pass out the paint (in CFC free containers, of course), and let the kids at it. Give out awards. If the government is still funding arts in any way, create a program and start writing grants. Give out canvases. Let those who are so inclined express themselves. You never know where the next Picasso or Pollock will come from.

Maybe he’s lurking in front of the hardware store, waiting for a buddy to buy him some spray cans.