Story Was Wrong to Glorify Graffiti

* In response to your article “Modern Hieroglyphics” (Nov. 8), I think we need to get our priorities straight. Should we be spending millions of dollars and donated time of concerned citizens in Orange County to clean up our neighborhoods from the scourge of graffiti, or should we admire the “youthful art” and compare it to cave painting? I can’t imagine that Nancy Whitney-Desautels, the independent archeologist contracted by Koll, would find it as amusing if graffiti were placed on her house or car.

We need to look at today’s graffiti for what it really is and not fool ourselves: It is a war of words between gangs trying to establish their territory in much the same way animals, using their scent, mark their territory. Thank God dogs and cats haven’t found out about spray paint.

Your article only serves as a compliment and endorsement to those who choose to destroy public and private property with their gang slogans and signs. As a property owner, taxpayer and volunteer in Garden Grove, I have spent many hours and dollars trying to eliminate graffiti in order to maintain property values in the neighborhood.

I ask The Times to step back for a moment before they publish another article glorifying graffiti, and consider the impact such an article will have, not only on those of us who are trying to gain control of our neighborhoods but on those who really don’t need any encouragement at all to smear their dirt on the society which is probably supporting them.

BOB CUMMING

Garden Grove