> Is graffitti a gang problem? I think this is an > assumption now considered fact by people without > really looking into the problem. > > My assumption is that most of the kids who spray paint > garages and businesses are just that, kids. Kids who > live in the neighborhood, go to school in the > neighborhood, so on.
Yes, most graffiti is related to gang activity. When I was younger, and dumber (High School), I ran in gang circles. I know how to identify different kinds of graffiti. Sure, there are some taggers who just do it for kicks, and notoriety, but looking around my neighborhood, the vast majority of graffiti consists of gang and crew names and symbols. Around uptown, it's more taggers. Around here, it's more sinister than that. The notion that most graffiti in our neighborhood comes from suburban kids is ludicrous. Kids aren't getting Mom to drop them off on 38th Street with cans of spray paint. They aren't taking a bus from Mall of America to plaster garages with gang signs. Maybe it makes us feel better to think that it's those darn suburbanites (and it's harmless, though annoying), but that's just sticking our collective heads in the sand. Dan McGrath Longfellow http://www.shegstad.us REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
