New Haven Independent

Posted by: Hill Resident | December 2, 2008 2:40 PM

"Hill Alderwoman Jackie James was the sole objector. I just think it's another piece of feel-good legislation."

Coming from a person who has not passed one meaningful legislation since elected. - Give me a break

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 2, 2008 3:25 PM

All you got do to is go to another town and buy the paint or markers.

Posted by: Bobo | December 2, 2008 3:33 PM

First it's bikes on sidewalks now it's graffiti, how about focusing on real issues in New Haven i.e. shootings, murders.

Posted by: streever | December 2, 2008 4:17 PM

montreal seems to have done a nice job with this issue
buildings/restaurants/etc hire or encourage local artists to do murals/semi-meaningful graffiti on their walls.

It's vibrant, colorful, and pleasing. They don't use "free walls" or other silly fixes, it's commerce driven.

The only (I think) non-sanctioned graffiti I saw in a noticeable place was "I LOVE CHEESE" on a wall. Not bad. (that and silly mustaches drawn on the cardboard political posters)

Posted by: Ben | December 2, 2008 4:46 PM

Fortunately some neighborhoods in New Haven behave themselves well enough that small crime such as graffiti and car break-ins are a concern.
Sweat the small stuff!

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | December 2, 2008 8:15 PM

BEN

The small stuff leads to big stuff. Remember broken windows theory of crime control in NYC. Seemed to work very well.

Posted by: John Fitzpatrick | December 3, 2008 6:43 AM

A recent study published in the journal Science demonstrates the importance of preventing indications of disorder such as litter and grafitti.

http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12630201

Posted by: BEN | December 3, 2008 11:45 AM

FEDUP,
I Agree. I think you misread. I said, "Sweat the small stuff"

Posted by: robn | December 3, 2008 1:00 PM

Theres an ant trail of small graffiti from Audobon to Lincoln Street...the cops could consider sending grafffito mugs shots to the principal of Cooperative High School, who might be seeing the same thing in the school and might know who it is.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | December 3, 2008 8:10 PM

david where did you see "I LOVE CHEESE"??? Some one I know may be in alot of trouble

Posted by: laststraw | December 4, 2008 5:22 PM

"Theres an ant trail of small graffiti from Audobon to Lincoln Street...the cops could consider sending grafffito mugs shots to the principal of Cooperative High School, who might be seeing the same thing in the school and might know who it is."

Robn, there is an entire department of the NYPD that does this. They literally have small index cards with photos stapled to them on the front of each file -- although I'm sure by now they've gone paperless. The only problem with actually tracking like this in New Haven is that no one outside of the 'graff world' seems to understand it all (as evident from the comments the last time that "Lark" photo was used on the NHI). Graffiti, once understood, is NOT hard to keep track of.
If you really want to get this under control, the city needs legal walls. In addition to legal walls, they should utilize Channel 1 and the various "kings" that now reside in New Haven -- much like the recent project at the Acme Wall on Crown Street. I watched those kids work on that wall, and the Channel 1 guys and the old school graffiti guys kept referring to it as aerosol art (never "graffiti"), and kept explaining to them the difference between art and vandalism. They talked about using a "piece book" or spare plywood vs. commercial walls as practice space. You're never going to eliminate graffiti entirely, so giving these kids a legal outlet gives them an option other than some storefront.
Heck, if the NHPD really wants to get a grasp on this, respond here -- I'll gladly give 'em a brief rundown of what it all means (and it only needs to be brief). I'd much rather see the "young guns" under the tutelage of the "kings", so they could grow their art without the need for random vandalism.

-SES ONE, TES735 (HA! CREW)

Posted by: ROBN | December 8, 2008 11:46 AM

LS,

Thanks...I agree with you about the qualitative difference between tags and art....as far as enforcement, all I'm looking for is for malicious taggers to be put on a clean up crew...maybe as a follow up, to make it a positive experience, the NHPD could sit the former taggers down with some kings. The ACME installation is great.