[vermont08]

I am trying to find out if the graffiti we saw while driving in downtown and in the old north end is gang related or just kids bored out of their mind. We plan to move to the Burlington area in March (we are looking at South Burlington). But want a better idea of what the graffiti is all about there. I was surprised by how much I saw in the “not so good” which really I saw as just the poorer part of town. Coming from the Baltimore, MD area I have to say it is nothing like here but it still took us a by surprise. We did happen to see a kid (maybe 14-15 yrs old) spraying on a building as we drove past which was kind of sad to see since there are so many beaches, parks, and things to do there. Why waste time making graffiti?

[VTeratheart]

There was an article in the Burlington Free Press the other day (last week, maybe?) about two kids, about 14-15, who were caught spraying the city. Apparently there's a anti-graffiti task force in Burlington now, who try to educate kids, deter them from doing it, and how the community can help prevent it. I personally think it's a combination of boredom, wanting to look "cool" and just plain old rebelious behavior in kids who are probably "troubled" in one sense of the word or another. I'm sure there's someone out there claiming it's a form of artistic expression, yada yada, but when it's happening to these old, historic buildings, or new multi-million dollar ones, it's not cool, either way you cut it.

[arel]

There was an article in the Brattleboro Reformer about a couple of people who burglarized and vandalized a house there. Really trashed it. The house, I think, appeared abandoned, but it was owned and cared for. Horrifying. I hope this is an isolated incident.

I don't want to move up from NYC to be a crime victim in Brattleboro!

[chaz longue]

Wherever there are kids, there are graffiti, in my experience. If it was evidence of Gangs, our neighbors would probably start to lock thier doors...

I live in Burlington though,

...you can practically ride your bike to VT from here ;-)

[vermont08]

Yeah I know I am just trying to find out if there is real gang issues or if it is just kids being stupid. When we drove thru downtown and up to North Beach I was taken back by the graffiti. I was not really thinking we would see that there.

[Suzet2262]

Out here in So Calif, there is gang graffiti on so many things. It is disgusting. They spray everything, road signs, buildings, bridges, sidewalks, school buildings, construction items, etc...and then they throw a pair of tennis shoes tied together over the power pole wires, as to claim that this is "their" territory. ...it is sickening. I hope moving to Southern Vermont, I wont have to look at that crap!! Yeah defacing a building is so tough. The gang bangers out here make me sick.

[VTeratheart]

Yeah, I think it's just kids being stupid. No real need to worry, in my opinion, about gangs. They may exist, but I wouldn't worry about it.

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by VTeratheart

Yeah, I think it's just kids being stupid. No real need to worry, in my opinion, about gangs. They may exist, but I wouldn't worry about it.

I guess they could be anywhere, sad fact of life. That is another reason added to a long list for our move out of this state.

[VTeratheart]

Gang related? I think not. Bored, yup... You decide....
Burlington Free Press.com |

[vermont08]

Thanks for the newspaper link.