How bad is graffiti in Independence?

Some city officials want to ban the sale of spray paint to young people. And they want to give the victims less time to get rid of the graffiti -- cutting the time from 10 days to two, KSHB reports. (What a great deal for the victims, who also get to reimburse the city for removal.)

Tony's Kansas City makes a good point: The Independence folks are probably more concerned about tagging, which is gang-related, than graffiti, which is more of an artform.

Comments

[Searching]

You know sometimes it is really expensive to fix it after graffiti.. I guess the city is planning on raising the amount of buying customers back to Independence to compensate the owners?

Why dont they set up a fund to pay for these repairs since it is the city's lack of policing that allows this in the first place?

[sick and tired]

IPD doesn't have time to pay attention to enforcing the law. They're too busy breaking their pursuit policy chasing after people at 90 mph through residential neighborhoods and along main thoroughfares to worry about such a trivial thing as graffiti.

[Truth Teller]

Does IPD also engage in those late night checkpoints? Could be the police officers are toooooo tired.

[kev]

Sick and tired. you must be with a attitude like that. What makes you think that cops like risking their lives and others chasing punks who destroy our community? People like you always have something bad to say about the very people that come to our aid. What have you done for someone lately? I bet nothing more than running your mouth.

[Mickey Mouse]

Good point Searching. I'm sure other parts of the city has this problem. I'm sure man-power could be use to cruz for policing, but who is to say they could use bicycles at night with a two "planted" patrol cars for speed and back-up. Bikes are more quieter and dressed in plain clothes, they could be anybody.

[Here is my surprise face :)]

I think that Independence has bigger problems than a few thugs painting gang signs on public and private property. Considering there is a constant flow of locally produced meth in the area it isn't a big surprise that these idiots are up all hours of the day tagging property with their so-called "art".

[k]

I suggest graffiti checkpoints. They could station cops at intersections, stop innocent motorists and search the car for cans of spray paint. If you're not guilty, there is nothing to worry about. And if they have at least a 2 percent success rate, they can probably get federal grants.

[mothers against dastardly deeds]

I agree K, and when they catch these people they should charge them money and make them go to classes. and with the money they are fined.. a portion should go to my organization, because we are right. and make it so they don't need a search warrant if they believe spray paint is in the house.

[Mark D]

The only problem I've seen with graffiti in Independence is that sucks.

For example, there's some group of clowns that call themselves "The Independence Boys."

At least, I think that's who they are -- of the three tags I've seen from them, two said "Indepence Boys."

I guess smart people don't go around spray painting stuff.

Of course, there was one funny one: off of 291, someone wrote "I [heart] Meth!" on a metal building.

Someone came back a week or so later and changed it to "I [heart] Math!"

Still cracks me up.

[Greg]

If they like to paint so much, why didn't they sentence them to helping paint the new schools for a couple of weeks?

[Buckeye]

Hey Sick and Tired I happen to be a cop and if you were in front of me right now I'd hog tie you and throw you in the back of my cruiser. If I feel like going 90mph through a residential neighborhood (pursuit or not) that's my puroggitive.

[pdgirlkc]

This isn't just a Independence problem, its all over the metro.

You are just one of the many sheep that expect someone else to stand up when things go wrong. How about using the energy you spend complaining about a problem to do something about it.

[Mickey Mouse]

Buckeye:

And you wouldn't be charged with police brutality?

[Buckeye]

I guess you're right Mickey Mouse. I'm just a very emotional fella. Sorry...

[Biff]

Hey Dip S****, While you sleep at night the cops are out running calls. Uh, ever watch the news in the morning? The 1 a.m. heart attacks, fights, and wrecks. These clowns obviously know how to look out for the police. Big brother is already watching so why not put up a few more cameras. Geez why don't some of you open your eyes when your out and about and help out. But nooooo. Nothing like living in Indetucky.

[DeuceandaQuarter]

I live in the 23rd street area where the group of merchants met with the police recently. The cops basically told them there was nothing they can do unless they catch them in the act.

I don't think this ordinace will have any more effect than banning baggy pants or backward hats. The spray paint isn't doing the graffiti, the gangsters are.

The eerie realization I came to after that recent meeting with the 23rd street merchants and the IPD was that the cops basically said "you are on your own."

Buckeye,
Maybe some English classes would be a benefit to you. You seem to have spelling issues. First, you have to sound out the word, and then, if all else fails, use a dictionary. Example: prerogative. See?
Kev,
As a matter of fact, I just participated in a clean up of the section of Noland Road where an innocent child was slaughtered during a high speed pursuit. Noland and Osage to 23rd and Noland has been adopted in that child's name. What have YOU done?

[kev]

Kev,
As a matter of fact, I just participated in a clean up of the section of Noland Road where an innocent child was slaughtered during a high speed pursuit. Noland and Osage to 23rd and Noland has been adopted in that child's name. What have YOU done?

First off I don't believe you. I am involved in many civic programs. I work a food pantry on the week ends. That's not what matters here. What matters is that you think it's a cops fault when some thug breaks the law and has to be caught. We live in a world today where everyone is at harms way. Cops are not to blame,Criminals are. Have a little respect for the ones that put their lifes on the line to save your butt!

[Sick and Tired]

Kev,
Your presumptive attitude of knowing anything about me and what I do is a display of your own ignorance. I believe you if you say you are involved in community services. Why wouldn't I? I don't know you. I happen to be the person who organized the cleanup and also got the road adopted in the first place. And you know NOTHING of the the facts of what happened that night. When it is all brought to light, I would hope you could understand where I'm coming from. I used to have respect for the police, and I still do, to a degree. But I have knowledge of that chase that you don't. When the truth is revealed, I will be back to comment on it.

[Sick and Tired]

Christopher's Friends. Proves that not all young people are thoughtless. They were the majority there on Sunday. I am very proud of each and every one of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5qe4seEjg0

Sick and Tired , I'm sorry and your right I don't have a right to be presumptive. I know your telling the truth. I have a lot of respect for our law enforcment. Maybe they make mistakes. We all do. I feel that we are all victims of crime and we need our cops to help catch these bad guys. I live close to 23rd and Noland and I know the incident your speaking of.It seems to be so easy to put all the blame on cops. When do we start putting the blame on the criminal? I again am sorry for such a rude comment.

[kev]

Sick and Tired , I'm sorry and your right I don't have a right to be presumptive. I know your telling the truth. I have a lot of respect for our law enforcment. Maybe they make mistakes. We all do. I feel that we are all victims of crime and we need our cops to help catch these bad guys. I live close to 23rd and Noland and I know the incident your speaking of.It seems to be so easy to put all the blame on cops. When do we start putting the blame on the criminal? I again am sorry for such a rude comment.

[Sick and Tired]

Kev,
Thank you. I appreciate that. I know there are good police in Independence, I have met several. I just want the policy to be followed so that what happened to Chris doesn't happen to anyone else. Believe me when I say, the persons involved in his murder are as guilty as can be. But there is blame to be placed all around. Many things happened that night that resulted in Chris losing his life. I also wanted to acknowledge those wonderful kids who showed up early Sunday morning to pitch in. Yes, there are kids who disappoint and do things they shouldn't. But there are some who truly do care.
The graffiti issue is something that needs to be dealt with. It does show a lack of respect for property and I hope that something is done. Maybe the city council should put the funds they plan on pouring into a hockey arena (that in my opinion, is a total waste of money) into solving some of our issues that are more important, like more police to protect the community.

[Buckeye]

Listen here "Kev" and "Sick and Tired." Let's keep the peace, shall we. I will enforce the law!!!

[Bob Kuskins]

Good job Buckeye! Especially Kev. He's a bit of a dweeb.

[Ethel]

Is it just my imagination or do Kev and Sick and Tired seem to be hitting off. Maybe they should meet somewhere and have a Cappucinno. From there who knows...

[Realist]

And the blacks and the mexicans wonder why they are descriminated against. Anywhere they move the nieghborhoods becomes an eye sore,crime increases, and so do the requests for public assistance. Anyone that disagrees is living in a vacum.

[Ethel]

Kev and Sick and Tired sittin' in a tree K I S S I N G. Teehee.

[Mickey Mouse]

"Kev and Sick and Tired sittin' in a tree
K I S S I N G. Teehee."

Wow, could Ethel "really" be Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson's got nothing on this old broad!

[t-bone]

Realist, its the type of people causing these problems, not just their race. Just as many white people ( I am white by the way ) that have absolutely no idea how to respect anything or anyone. we keep building places for these people to destroy and they keep doing it. I am sorry for that someone lost their life but how would you feel if some rapist or murdere was fleeing the cops and they stopped the pursuit because of speed and then the next day that person rapes or murders you. the good people of this country ( all races ) are tired of the violence. cops should not be above the law, but should be able to enforce it.

[Grafitti]

The artists need to clean off their work or build a park just for grafitti artists...

[Tracy in O.P.]

most of the grafitti in Indy doesn't classify as art. so building a park would be like putting a restaurant in front of the wastewater treatment plant.

[Mr. Koenig]

Independence is having a graffiti problem?? Puh-leeze! Northeast Kansas city...now THERE is an area with a graffiti problem! There is a building on the corner of St. John and Askew that gets tagged constantly. The owner will paint over it and less than two days later it is tagged again. This has been going on for almost a decade now and hand to God, the building has been tagged HUNDREDS of times during this period.

I called local Police and they told me that they would have to catch the culprits in the act. Somehow they are NEVER around when this occurs. I then sent an angry email to the Chief of Police a fews years ago and an officer came to my home to discuss this. I pointed the building out to the officer and asked why too many buildings in my neighborhood were constantly tagged and nothing was ever done about it.

The officer preceded to tell me that their hands were tied and they don't have enough officers to take care of the problem and if they do catch someone, they usually let them go as they are minors. That is pathetic, completely unacceptable, and a prime example of the complete apathy and failure of the KCPD to protect the citizens of this city AND their property. They simply don't care. If you don't believe that, I challenge you to drive over to St. John and Askew (building on the Southeast corner-and usually other properties nearby) and see for yourself. The graffiti will still be there........

[none]

need to catch those 9 dui

[Sasquach]

Didn't the Independence police just recently state that they were not going to do anything about the graffiti problem unless the owners caught the offenders in the act?

[Mike M]

Are there streetlights near these buildings that are getting tagged? It might be possible to install a small motion sensor camera and record the vandalism. ... that might be proof enough for the cops to start looking for these people ...

of course, they won't get prosecuted - their lawyers will claim that their privacy was violated by installing the camera or that it was entrapment when the building owner provided a clean wall ... ... ...