Wall across from San Jacinto school beforeBig government: The term is mainly used to evoke criticism of a government which is believed to be excessively large and costly, with too many programs that interfere on too many areas of public life.
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2007/aug/22/council-plans-will-curb-graffiti-vandals/
“I was so devastated,” she said. “I actually became physically ill. I felt nauseated. My first question is, ‘How could this happen in my neighborhood?’”
Physically ILL?? How could this happen in my neighborhood? The worst part of that statement is that its focusing on PAINT. Not on the root issues that are causing and allowing someone to go and paint someones fence with “gang related” graffiti.
So the real issue is that there is gang activity in San Angelo. After several years of it being down, it is starting to resurface. I would say that is where you target all your time and energy.
Instead, there are LAWS that are trying to be passed like, “anyone without legal guardianship who provides aerosol paint to a minor — whether it’s a retailer making a sale or a friend passing a can — faces the same fine.” and “Under the law, private-property owners must sign the form and let the city clean the vandalism or clean the graffiti themselves within the 10 days. Otherwise, the city can declare the property a nuisance, levy a fine of $200 to $500 against the owner, and abate the graffiti anyway.”
Those are laws that make me as a private citizen nervous. What is considered graffiti? When is it ART? What is legal graffiti? What if I get permission to paint something on a wall and I choose to paint in a graffiti style?? I am now in trouble, I get fined, and my art is painted over. And why is it going to be against the law to allow someone under the age of 18 to use an spray can???? As a property owner if I choose to have something on my property I can be fined for not “cleaning” it up.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like bombings on buildings anymore than the next person, but I think that instead of trying to deal with it in that manner, we need to attempt to deal with it in another way.
Also, ask yourself this, what are you so afraid of? Fear of anything gang related has already given them power. Become a force in your neighborhood. What kind of neighbor are you? Are you the type that peeks out your window all day and watches those little “thugs” walk past your house? Do you shake your head at them in disgust? Are you the kind who looks the other way when they walk past you in the mall? Be a positive force in you neighborhood. Here is an idea, go by a 12 pack of sodas and put them in your fridge. The next time those kids walk by, ask them if they want a soda. Then ask them their names. Wave at them as they walk by. Let them know that you see them and are watching them. SMILE at the kids that you pass in the mall. Rather than disgust, why don’t you think about what they must be dealing with at home if they are out running the streets. Make a difference in a positive life changing way instead of being a whiner.
Before we start making rules and regulations lets make an effort to curb this stuff with different tactics like paying attention to the things that going on around us. And yes, by all means, PAINT OVER any vandalism on your property and remember: Darn kids?! Were you never a “darn kid”??
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2007/aug/22/council-plans-will-curb-graffiti-vandals/
“I was so devastated,” she said. “I actually became physically ill. I felt nauseated. My first question is, ‘How could this happen in my neighborhood?’”
Physically ILL?? How could this happen in my neighborhood? The worst part of that statement is that its focusing on PAINT. Not on the root issues that are causing and allowing someone to go and paint someones fence with “gang related” graffiti.
So the real issue is that there is gang activity in San Angelo. After several years of it being down, it is starting to resurface. I would say that is where you target all your time and energy.
Instead, there are LAWS that are trying to be passed like, “anyone without legal guardianship who provides aerosol paint to a minor — whether it’s a retailer making a sale or a friend passing a can — faces the same fine.” and “Under the law, private-property owners must sign the form and let the city clean the vandalism or clean the graffiti themselves within the 10 days. Otherwise, the city can declare the property a nuisance, levy a fine of $200 to $500 against the owner, and abate the graffiti anyway.”
Those are laws that make me as a private citizen nervous. What is considered graffiti? When is it ART? What is legal graffiti? What if I get permission to paint something on a wall and I choose to paint in a graffiti style?? I am now in trouble, I get fined, and my art is painted over. And why is it going to be against the law to allow someone under the age of 18 to use an spray can???? As a property owner if I choose to have something on my property I can be fined for not “cleaning” it up.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like bombings on buildings anymore than the next person, but I think that instead of trying to deal with it in that manner, we need to attempt to deal with it in another way.
Also, ask yourself this, what are you so afraid of? Fear of anything gang related has already given them power. Become a force in your neighborhood. What kind of neighbor are you? Are you the type that peeks out your window all day and watches those little “thugs” walk past your house? Do you shake your head at them in disgust? Are you the kind who looks the other way when they walk past you in the mall? Be a positive force in you neighborhood. Here is an idea, go by a 12 pack of sodas and put them in your fridge. The next time those kids walk by, ask them if they want a soda. Then ask them their names. Wave at them as they walk by. Let them know that you see them and are watching them. SMILE at the kids that you pass in the mall. Rather than disgust, why don’t you think about what they must be dealing with at home if they are out running the streets. Make a difference in a positive life changing way instead of being a whiner.
Before we start making rules and regulations lets make an effort to curb this stuff with different tactics like paying attention to the things that going on around us. And yes, by all means, PAINT OVER any vandalism on your property and remember: Darn kids?! Were you never a “darn kid”??
Wall across from San Jacinto school after
