Tough Graffiti Punishment
I was pleased to read that police have arrested at least two of the culprits they say were responsible for vandalizing public and private property with graffiti in the San Fernando Valley.
I was not pleased, however, to read that the punishment recommended by police was merely community service cleaning up graffiti, especially since one of the two was a previous offender.
It is certainly time that we put an end to this problem in no uncertain terms. Although these vandals really don’t deserve a forewarning, we should give notice in the major media--newspapers, TV, radio, etc.--that any graffiti “artist” will be subject to incarceration in addition to graffiti cleanup.
Students could be confined from after school until the morning of the following day and all weekends with no TV, radio, publications other than school books, and no communication with anyone but their parents. I would hope at least two weeks for a first offender and much longer for a second offender.
Harsh treatment? Yes. But this plague has got to be stopped before these vandals destroy the entire Valley.
JOHN L. FOLLANSBEE, Encino
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
