Nat Greene Googly Eye Bandit Story Blows Up Big Time (Savannah: credit, felony)

[Newsboy]

As everyone on the planet surely knows by now, some ne’re do well now affectionately dubbed the “Googly Eye Bandit” tricked out the Nathaniel Greene Monument in Johnson Square last week. The city (and specifically SPD) issued a press release vowing to seek out and punish the culprit, which of course went viral on Facebook and has been picked up by media outlets all over the world.

One wonders of that wasn’t the city’s intention — a tongue-in-cheek story that would bring a lot of free publicity. But something in me just refuses to give them that much credit.

What say y’all? Evil trick or hilarious treat? Is the city just milking this ... or shall justice surely prevail?

PS — I could share some of the links (many or them quite humorous) but just Google “Savannah Googly” and see for yourself. They literally go on and on and on for pages ad nauseum ...

Two of the funniest comments on Facebook:

"I always wanted to visit Savannah, but now that I see how unsafe it is, no thanks. I’ll consider it once they catch this psychopath. Is the FBI involved yet?"

"Turns out that I'm nowhere near white enough to be outraged by this.”

[Newsboy]

Someone on Reddit is apparently already selling T-Shirts (no matter that anybody can just download the photo and print their own T-Shirt)

I predict a lot of “Nat Greene Googly Eyes” Halloween costumes

[Airforceguy]

I have to say that personally I found the story funny, but at the same time I know the police have to take this seriously.

[DanielAvery]

I've heard about it from so many sources in the last 48 hours. They were laughing about it on the morning-drive radio show I listen to on the way to work (a local show here in South FL). One of the hosts said Greene "looked like he'd had one too many energy drinks". They claimed it's a felony! (?!)

Given how vandals in other cities inflict much more serious harm on statues and other public installations (douse them in paint, rip off parts, pull them down entirely, etc.) , I can't believe people are taking this seriously. It is nice, however, to know our vandals have more of a sense of humor than a sense of lawlessness.

[SavannahLife]

hilarious! Iv'e seen lots of cute clever graffiti around town. I liked the Girl Power one on the MLK-16 bridge before it was gang tagged over. Once on Broughton was like Have a Nice Day! Haha they virtually ensured the Googley Eyed Bandit will strike again. Can't wait.

[Newsboy]

You gotta admit it’s rather cool living in a town that ranks so highly on the pop culture / internet coolness factor. I mean, if this had happened in Iowa City would anybody really care? Nope!

[Newsboy]

FROM NBC NEWS:

”Honestly, it is a situation we need to look into because we don't want people to go around defacing things," said Savannah police spokeswoman Keturah Greene, NO RELATION TO THE FAMOUS GENERAL.

[Newsboy]

REMEMBER: If anybody has information on the incident it is your CIVIC DUTY to call police!!!

http://wjcl.com/article/all-eyes-on-...768955?src=app

[Newsboy]

Get ‘em while they’re hot!

https://www.bonfire.com/googlyeyednathan/

[masonbauknight]

The police department's response to the googly eyes was more Mayberry than Savannah. That's what is really funny -- and surprising. The story went to the front page of the Washington Post. And the 800+ comments attached to the article were withering: "Savannah is asking for googly eyes on every monument in the city" and "George Washington gave Greene free land in Georgia? He really must have hated him." The city looks as if it lost some serious marbles.