Is anyone else outraged by this Daniel Montano saga -- Pittsburgh's biggest graffiti vandal? (Beaver: mattress, home)

[Sheradenmom]

It's the broken windon theory. If society allows the "little things" (not that I believe,based on the cost of repair that this is a little thing) to occur, then the big things will follow. If we make a crime out of vandals, then our communities stay cleaner and, in the long run, safer. This kid is a vandal who calls himself an artist. Graffitti is a crime, plain and simple. People keep trying to find the gray areas but this is really a pretty clear cut problem. He vandalized properties and needs to be help accountable. I personally think society would be better served by making the little SOB clean it all up rather than send his sorry butt to jail but that is for the courts to decide. Right is right and wrong is wrong, it really is that simple.

[Dylan Solomon]

i suppose you didn't understand my statement. SOB is an entirely inappropriate term for a person whom none of us know. Your aggression could be better used to understand the situation fully and try to make a positive change in this community. The problem is very clear cut if one looks deeper than the surface.

[Windwalker]

I like the way you think, Daniel. I am a homeowner who takes pride in her home and neighborhood, and I hate tagging, too. It's disrespectful.

But I don't see why the city doesn't make him paint murals for the city (good ones approved by a committee, based on his own designs). And give those whose property he vandalized some of his art as restitution in addition to making him repaint all the property he vandalized.

Some of these folks are real artists. So why not put all this talent to work for us instead of wasting all our money on legal and jail costs? Real restoration will require folks getting to know and respect one another once again. And most of us don't want to take the time (or can't because of economics) to do just that.

[pitt_transplant]

Doesnt anyone think the forced scrubbing is a good idea?
Hmmm?

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by pitt_transplant

Doesnt anyone think the forced scrubbing is a good idea?
Hmmm?

I think its a great idea. Make him clean all of his up, and all the other graffiti too!

I personally think its absolute lunacy to suggest that we should give him a job painting. That's like suggesting we give that crazy Maryland sniper guy a job with the military as a sniper because he has so much skill! These are criminals, intentionally breaking the law and harming others.

This is why I suggested in another thread that laws in the U.S. are merely recommendations. No one takes them seriously here! If you want them to be taken seriously, all you have to do is have serious repercussions!

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by pitt_transplant

Doesnt anyone think the forced scrubbing is a good idea?
Hmmm?

It's a great idea, but scrubbing doesn't take off paint. You need to use a thickened paint remover that will stick to the paint -- and it will remover ALL the paint on the building -- which is why you see people painting over graffitti instead of removing it.

It's also a very caustic product and not very environmentally friendly, with a lot of nasty cleanup.

It's called "graffitti remover", comes in a spray can. Horrible stuff. My husband has a small scar on his leg from it.

[pitt_transplant]

Oh man...That goo scares me....YEEPS!

Anytime I have ever scrubbed spray paint it took a great deal of elbow grease and some of the paint. excellent on brick or stone. I would say at least an hour for a square foot.
I dont know anyone that would WANT to do that. I think is much more of a punishment than fines or jail.

I just always used a stiff brush and maybe a wire one. Sandblasting with water and sand is another less toxic way.

I think we should make him paint. If thats what it takes to restore the industrial or private home design to its original state.(not his art - restore to original)

[LovetheEastEnd]

Originally Posted by gallacus

Ok, rant over... anyone else?

Frankly I'm a little more bothered by a 12 year old girl being shot dead on the North Side.

[BayAreaByeBye]

I've been posting on a couple other threads. Looking at a move to Pittsburgh.

There's a term for what you're thinking of here. It's called "community service".

The last thing in life a teenager wants to do is spend 500hrs (a typical term for grafitti in SF or Oakland) scrubbing walls or painting. Usually, the work parties consist of 10ish kids and 1 supervisor. Usually, the work parties are 8hrs Saturday, and 8hrs Sunday. 500/16 = 31 blown weekends. That gets a teenager's attention. Two days in jail just makes them cool.

We also have reckless drivers spend their weekends picking up roadside trash. A very effective deterrent as well.

[NYSTYLE]

How about making him paint every house he vandalizes