homophobic graffiti

[melissa]

Hi, y’all. This morning while my son and I were on our way to the Farmer’s Market, we saw some very unpleasant, homophobic graffiti. After our tulip, rhubarb and plant-buying, we stopped at the True Value and bought some steel wool. We went back, scrubbed off the graffiti and went on our merry way. It set us back $4 and maybe 10 minutes.

All of which brings me to my question: given the unpleasantness of the graffiti that’s been showing up around our ‘hood lately, can we set up a system of alerts (maybe here), whereby if someone sees graffiti, he or she posts the location, and anyone with spare time and materials can pop over and remove it? Obviously it’s usually trickier than what the little guy and I got rid of this morning, but it seems to me that it shouldn’t be that hard for us to rally and remove. I’ve heard lots of fury and indignation about the recent homophobia, and until the perps are caught, I think we should show ’em that we can erase faster than they can write. Or as fast….

And my boy (6) says: I helped a whole lot in taking away the graffiti. And it felt good. And I was happy that we got it out. People should not do it anymore.

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[Cait]

I saw this too! It was on the news – someone has been doing this all over and mostly have been targeting one man. I was surprised to see it in the junction of all places. Anyway – I agree. An alert system would be good. I’ll keep an eye out.

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[HunterG]

Way to go Melissa!~

Thank you for being a good citizen, its people like you that make West Seattle a great place to live.

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[flowerpetal]

Thanks Melissa. What impressed me most about your post was the inherent gift you gave to your son. A simple act is tons more effective than anything he could have learned in a book about accepting and standing up for others.

Some day this will be a safer place for everyone. Thanks again.

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[WSB]

By “the news” I’m guessing you mean someplace else but we have covered it here as well FWIW:

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=16554

While comments on that story indicated sightings of this in various places around West Seattle, when I reviewed police reports last Monday night, there was only a report about this particular instance. So I would suggest that if you see it elsewhere, please report it in addition to taking other action. That is what will give police the best chance of catching those responsible, since it has “malicious harassment” status in the original case now and that could mean a tougher penalty.

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[Cait]

Yeah – “the news” is that crap I try not to watch so that I can sleep at night. “The blog” is where I go for informative goodness! Thanks, TR!

I think it was KOMO, but they interviewed a man whose garage had been tagged numerous times despite his quick attempts to cover it up. So on top of reporting every time you see this and find someone or some way of covering it up, be sure to be vigilant in places that you’ve seen it before. I’m hoping someone catches this freak in action so it can be nipped in the bud!

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[TheWashDog]

If anyone is interested in our experience at The Wash Dog, you should NOT cover the vandalism up if you intend to call the police. The SPD dispatcher was not at all interested once she learned we had painted over the “tag”.

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[JayDee]

I patrol an area in the ‘hood near my house, and if someone tags public property I make a note of it in my head and go out and remove it as soon as I can. Lacquer thinner is my primary tool, coupled with an old towel, gloves, and maybe sand (since there is usually sand available). Most spray paint will lift off easily onto a thinner-soaked towel.

If it is a porous surface, I can cover up the tag and have purchased several cans of like-colored paint to match hydrants, cable-boxes, and wood. While SPU and Metro are very prompt, it doesn’t hurt to lend a hand. Like an infectious disease, it spreads quickly. IMHO.

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[mcwhite72]

My family and I are grateful for you’re efforts. Change starts when honest everyday people get involved in there community.

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[Yardvark]

I figure the sentence for hate speech offenders should be to wear their graffiti slogans on a T-shirt and walk up and down Alki beach or Alaska Junction.

They should stand up for what you believe in. And happily display their feelings to all…so we can see them for who them are and how they define themselves.

Punishments aside, though, I actually think these are great opportunities to come together as a community and support all of our neighbors. We as well should stand up for what we believe and happily display those beliefs.

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