Catching Up To Vandals

The Toronto Sun  2008

     When if comes to wiping out graffiti, Staff-Sgt. Heinz Kuck says the writing is off the wall.

     Moving into its sixth year of existence, the Toronto Graffiti Eradication program has reclaimed over 45,000 square metres of vandalized walls and property, galvanizing communities to take a closer look at the social decay that takes a toll on their once proud neighbourhoods.

     "Our biggest challenge is public support," said Kuck.  "Over the six years, a third of the city has accepted the program, another third comes out to help powerwash and paint over, but teh final third is still apathetic."

     During that time police have arrested 400 "taggers" who are determined to leave their indecipherable indelible mards across the city for all to see.

     What Kuck, his corporate partners and citizens of youth and faith groups have tried to do is "encourage Torontonians to be more community-minded and holistic" about their neighbourhoods.

     Without neighbours taking an active role in sprucing up their neighbourhoods, Kuck said, disorder will follow in areas hit by "bombers" - graffiti artists who cover a large area with tags, either with spray cans, paint rollers or markers.

     Kuck explains that studies have shown that this type of urban vandalism decreases property values and tourism and eventually invites the seedier side of petty crime to flourish, whether it be prostitution, drug dealing or alcohol use.

     Kuck understands there are many graffiti advocates who believe "graffiti adds to the urban esthetic and pulse of the city."

     But that pulse was lost in early February of this year when a n 18-year-old "tagger" known as Alfah was struck and killed by an east bound travelling freight train as he and his "SB crew" members finished a piece on the side of a railcar on the CP Rail tracks near Dupont and Christie Sts.

     Even with corporate partners like Para-Paints who have so far, in three years, donated close to 4,000 litres of paint for clean-ups or this year's newest partner, Etobicoke based power-washing specialists Canadian Restorations, Kuck says the graffiti has become a "Battle of the Titans" situation.

     "As fast as we move in to clean, it is reappearing in volume," said Kuck.  "The taggers feel they are not getting the respect for their pieces staying up long enough.

     "It is a constant battle," Kuck said who is undeterred even though the situation some days seems over whelming.

     Mike Haydeman, of Canadian Restorations, said his company has included graffiti especially hate-crime driven ones - in its repertoire that previously included chewing gum removal, sidewalk spraying and fire restoration cleaning.

     "The hate stuff is really bad.  We can be there within hours after someone finds it," said Haydeman.

     A new graffiti bylaw requires owners to clean graffiti off walls, doorways and alcoves within 72 hours of enforcement officers showing up.  If it isn't cleaned up, bylaw officers can order a cleanup and tag it onto the owner's tax bill.

     Kuck feels there is a need for the bylaw but hopes "it doesn't' bite hard-working business- and homeowners" after they've already been victimized by the taggers.

Graffiti "artists" rile truckers

National Post  February 29, 2008

     David Contant is a proponent of free speech and freedom of expression.  And, like so many others, he appreciates fine art.  But the Burlington, Ont. - based trucker was far from amused recently when he discovered that a budding artist/social activist/ vandal decided his truck would be an ideal canvas for a cryptic message delivered via a can of spray paint.

     Contant is the latest trucker to be victimized by graffiti "artists" who have decided that trucks, cube vans and other large vehicles make for good targets when it comes to displaying their horrendous handiwork.  Indeed, whereas graffiti was once confined to downtown back alleys and the odd railroad car, a growing trend has emerged wherein vandals are turning their attention to the world of wheels.

     Contant says he wouldn't have minded if his truck had been tagged by someone painting, say, a replica of the Mona Lisa on his rig.  But, like the vast majority of urban graffiti blight, the supposed artwork is merely a mishmash of gibberish that could've been administered by a chimpanzee wearing a blindfold.

     "It's a real eyesore," says Contant.  "And I have no idea what it's supposed to be."

     While the graffiti on his truck likely represented a few minutes of mindless fun for the vandals, it is Contant who must live with the end result.  Understandably, he's far from pleased.

     "It's a little embarrassing for me to make deliveries now," he says, noting that he ships high-end fine furniture to the homes of customers.  "When I roll up on somebody's driveway with a truck looking the way it does now, it doesn't look good for me or for the company."