Is anyone else outraged by this Daniel Montano saga -- Pittsburgh's biggest graffiti vandal? (Paint: house, neighborhoods)

[Sheradenmom]

Daniel Montano is just the latest in a long line of taggers. What about Mook? The problem is when little action is taken, the offense is not taken seriously. I realize he hasn't killed anyone but neither does he seem to see the seriousness of his offenses. It all comes down to respect, which far too many people are lacking. Whats yours is yours and whats mine is mine. You do not have the right to vandalize what does not belong to you, including public property because, you see, that belongs to all of us, not you alone. There are groups who look for artists to paint murals. If these taggers want to be seen as artists, they need to find appropriate venues for their art. My garage or someones place of business or a bridge support is not an appropriate venue. The appropriate punishment would be to pay for the cost of removal, it is not cheap and the city pays which means every taxpayer in the city is paying for removal of his so called art. I would much rather my tax dollars be spent on youth programs or road repair, not cleaning up after a grown man. He is an adult and is therefore responsible for his actions. Mr. Montano is well aware that tagging is a crime. He should be man enough to be responsible for what his "art" has cost our city. At the Mattress Factory,he is an artist. On the streets of Pittsburgh, he is a vandal. The difference is his choice of venue for displaying his art work.

[NYSTYLE]

how about if we spray paint him with that dye they use that does not wash off for weeks.

[MaryS80]

He's probably some spoiled rich kid who doesn't know the value of a dollar because he's never had to earn a living. There are some graffiti artists who have talent, and create works of art. This guy just has an over inflated ego and tags his name. They should make him do community service to pay for the clean up.

[Dylan Solomon]

Originally Posted by MaryS80

He's probably some spoiled rich kid who doesn't know the value of a dollar because he's never had to earn a living. There are some graffiti artists who have talent, and create works of art. This guy just has an over inflated ego and tags his name. They should make him do community service to pay for the clean up.

takes one to know one.
but for the record, he's not.

[Smily Gladshanks]

How about some really cheesey, mandatory tatoos? Like, I don't know, the Burger King logo? Hey, it's art. He'll be a walking canvas. For BK. Yep, bad tatoos it is.

[Sheradenmom]

In other areas, tags are removed in 24 hours. If it gets cleaned up, there is nothing for the tagger to see. His work is gone and no one competes to do one better. We have a large problem and a limited budget. We need to be proactive at getting the tags removed. If you see tags, they should be reported. Graffitti is one of many problems in our city but ignoring it will not make it go away. Community service and restitution should be mandatory sentencing for taggers. They are vandals, not violent offenders, but they are one of many factors that are killing our city. We need to be more aggressive in our reporting efforts. The 311 line is a great tool. (the link on the website is even better, no hold time) Complaints are acted on and usuall solved in a reasonable amount of time. Anything that is not a crime in progress can be reported to 311. I urge our citizenry to take advantage of it.

[Windwalker]

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.

Touche! But is it really an apt analogy?

Originally Posted by pitt_transplant

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)

I agree. I was assuming this--that whoever destroys property should make it right. Has no one ever seen Leave It to Beaver Of course, the culpirts need to paint it all back since they're so fond of painting!

And clean up others' graffitti, not just theirs, because the quicker it's cleaned up, the less negative attention received.

But. . . as community service follow up, in lieu of jail time, why not put them to work free of charge on a real art project so they can use their talents for good instead of destruction?

Many miscreants (Lord, when have you used that word lately?) are like little kids who just need some attention, to know their being here makes a difference, and what some of this is is just plain childish acting out. Spanking does little good, leading to more rebelliousness, but when someone takes the time to care, recidivism can be reduced.

I guess I'd like to go for positive attention as well as hands- (or butt-) on restitution.

[Johnland]

What is tagging? I almost afraid to find out.

[Windwalker]

spray painting initials or your signature mark on public property to say "I was here!"

Sometimes it becomes a game to see who can reach the most ridiculous places, like the tops of bridges or over tunnels, places hard to reach.

Sometimes it marks certain gang territories, which makes things more sinister than writing on the bathroom walls (writ large).

[draw.build.b.happy]

I think it is a shame that you have the balls to say lock Danny up for life. He is at fault, and made many mistakes this is true. However I am trying to figure out what goes through your head. Lock up a 22 year old kid for life because he spray paints.......you realize that when he was arraigned he did not get out on bond, but a rapist did the same day? Does that make sense to you in your judgemental head? I don't think but maybe you have very odd values? Perhaps there is more going on than you understand. I hope to God that you do not have kids- kids mess up, and if that was your child you would not want them in jail at the age of 72 for something they did when they were 22?
I KNOW I CAN'T SPELL I'M IN A HURRY BUT YOU OUTRAGED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!