Northside graffiti crackdown

Looks like the MPD is "cracking down" on graffiti in the city, especially on the north side. They've gone so far as to release a summary police report on 8 recent arrests.

The report also trumpets "Graffiti is a 'quality of life' crime the MPD will continue to focus on. It is hoped these arrests will serve as a deterrent to others."

Read the full report here.

Thing is, I'm actually against the stupid, scrawled tagging style of graffiti (the stuff that any joker with a paint pen or permanent marker could make). My take is that they're pointless, obnoxious, ugly, and give a bad name to the kind of street art we should be encouraging--ie: the kind of stuff I try to post here.

If we want to make real progress in convincing the crotchety official types to allow for more public art space, one of the things we have to do is make some effort to cut down on tagging that actually damages property. There are a lot of negative, misinformed attitudes to overcome, and we need all the high ground possible to do that.

At least, I think so. Feel free to argue a different point. And be sure to stay alert while you're out there, kids. The MPD is on the we've-totally-got-our-priorities-in-the-right-place prowl.


(photo by Sean Future on Flickr)

Here's lookin' at you

Even in the midst of so much snow and ice, street art connoisseurs are out looking for new work to admire. Tipster A. sent in this shot of a stencil found at North Webster and E. Dayton. He was also kind enough to send along word of several other art sightings, and I'm hoping to hit the pavement soon to search out some of them on my own.