Cops Fight Back (Sorta) Against Graffiti
Since we’ve talked a lot about graffiti here I figured it might be worthwhile to see some tips from the cops (most notably environmental officer Claude Picard) who are fighting graffiti in the Fan.
1) Spray Paint can rattles – It’s a very distinct metallic rattle sound that is created when a person shakes a spray paint can. Small metal or plastic “peas” are added to spray paint cans to help mix the paint during the shaking process. If this sound is heard, especially in the alleys, please call us so we can investigate. ”Taggers” are they are often called carry their cans in backpacks which you might be able to hear “clanking” as they are walking down the alley or street.
2) If you see anyone stopping intermittently in the alleys for unknown reasons. This may be a sign they are walking, stopping, spray painting, and then moving on to their next target.
3) If you see anyone hiding/ducking from passing vehicles and then returning to a particular area this may be a sign they are tagging a building or vehicle (or breaking into vehicles). A “tagger” may also have his face partially covered and using a second person as a lookout.
4) It is believed that spray paint tags occur in the early morning hours.
bahahahha. This is so ridiculous it’s almost not funny. I have some other suggestions to add.
5. Wake up every hour and stick your nose out your window. If you smell paint, call 911.
6. If you see any hispanic males out past midnight, call 911. They are most likely doing graffiti.
7. Hang outside the Home Depot and watch for people purchasing spray paint. Call 911 and follow them to their house.
8. Ignore the murders, rapes, and other crime occuring in Richmond. Focus all your attention on graffiti artists and the other crimes will go away.
1/ if you suspect your house may be highlighted for a ‘graffiti attack’ why not cover it in vaseline.. when the attack happens the vaseline will easily scrape off the wall and can be collected in jars as ‘evidence’ against the perpetrator .
2/ spend as much of your free time as possible loitering in an alleyway near your house ,have a picnic or barbecue there , encourage your children and/or grandparents to use these areas as much as possible . This will help deter possible vandalism attacks.
3/ if you are experiencing an ‘attack’ stay calm , try not to breathe the fumes, move slowly and steadily backwards away from the general area, if the ‘attack’ gets too close , makes yourself as big as possible (hold out your coat , raise your arms, stand with legs well apart) and roar/shout in the direction of the ‘attacker’ . If all else fails , fall to the ground and make yourself as small as possible , curl up like a foetus, and try not to cry or make any sound. It will all be over quickly one way or the other.
4/ it is believed that tagging occurs in the early morning … though we cannot say with certitude that this is a fact .
lastly, remember , these attacks can happen at any time , and are not rare , to be a valid and useful member of society it is recommended you rest/sleep as little as possible , spend as long as you can by your window vigilantly scanning your general area for any signs/sounds of ‘paint being used in an antisocial manner’ . Remember ‘illegally applied paint can spill’ .
RPD catches three:
6 January 2010:
A watchful citizen observed 2 males vandalizing 2501 W. Main St. Police responded and arrested both males. Evidence was recovered from both suspects residence’s and additional warrants will be obtained.
Suspect #1: “WHO” in crew “FHF – Flowers, Hearts, and Farts”
Michael J. Atkinson – 3 S. Strawberry St.
Suspect #2: “PLAGE” – “ROOTS”
Ricky B. Portillo – 1901 E. Franklin St.
7 January 2010
Employees at 2803 W. Broad St. observed two males vandalizing the business and called Police. Police responded and through the course of their investigation were able to arrest both males. One male was determined to be a graffiti suspect from previous incidents of property damage. Evidence was recovered from the residence and addi- tional warrants will be obtained.
Suspect #3: “ROMS” – “PANKO”
Noah B. Fiel – 3324 Stuart Ave.
These graffiti “artists” are douchebag losers, plain and simple. Their “art” is awful. They are cowards.
Your city is a canvas. It’s simply art expression. Graffiti doesn’t hurt anyone, or anything. Unlike murder’s, rapists, local bum’s, artists don’t seek out to hurt or ‘attack’ or even have contact with people. It’s paint, and go. No harm to humans, No harm to the any kind. . It’s simply an expression of an artist, and mostly talent. If you enjoy music, you support art. If you enjoy television or movies, you support art. Graffiti is the same form you fashion liking to on a day to day basis, only using city walls and brick or concrete as a more outspoken canvas instead of paper. YOU’RE all cowards to see them as any other thing besides any other artist you envy.
Fine Macy Gray, how about the graffiti “artists” tell us who they are, and then let me come over and paint my “art” all over their private property, no matter how repulsive they find it. Deal?
“Both the tag or individual mark have little or no aesthetic appeal. While they might suggest a flair or style of writing, these forms fail to qualify as example of superb graffiti art because of a lack of aesthetic qualities and inability to produce a maximal aesthetic feeling in the viewer. In fact, the tag or individual mark is not produced for artistic purposes. It is basically a means to indicate the writer’s presence, i.e., the age old statement of “I was here.” Gang markings of territory also fit the definition.”
Quotes are from: Cooper, M. and Chalfant, H. Subway Art. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1984 & Walsh, Michael. Graffito. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 1996.
Hey Macy,
Don’t lower yourself to FANGUYS level by trying to argue with him. He does nothing but browse this and other blogs and add his two cents to everything. He’s got an opinion on everything and nobody listens to his dumb ass.
People like him do not and will not understand graffiti art. I know who he is and have given his address to a few graffiti crews here in Richmond. Maybe they will do some “art” for him…
It is art. There is way more going wrong in Richmond, one of the highest cities for crime in the country, for eight to ten cops to be focused on catching artists simply PAINTING. It’s easily replaced, if you aren’t lazy and don’t enjoy it on your ‘private property’ go outside and take three, maybe four arm strokes and cover it up. Get your own life rather than ruining other peoples creativity.
Macy Gray, I noticed you dodged my question.
And just how do you “cover up” unpainted brick that has been tagged? It is ruined forever.
Graffiti can be beautiful, most isn’t. It is also illegal and causes property damage. Lately these “artist” have been defacing each others work.
Graffiti is also expensive and difficult to remove. There’s lots of things wrong with graffiti, especially when there are so many legal ways to express yourself. There is no civil right to deface someone’s property.
Maybe we will see Macy and Roger doing community service one day soon.
Roger, you are a riot.
I am a criminal. I like to hang out and conduct crimes (muggings and drug dealing) in areas covered in graffiti. The graffiti makes me feel as if noone cares about the area, so it is less likely I will be caught (I feel). Being a criminal, I am pro-graffiti since it helps me find places to conduct my “art”.
Keep up the good work graffiti guys. Your “art” also helps respectful tax paying law obiding folks from moving into the areas covered in graffiti, which sheds less light on my crimes. So long as those good patrons walk through the graffiti areas from time to time, like on their way home from patronizing a local business, I can nab them. I love graffiti. I am a criminal.
macy gray – mamybe some day you’ll grow up and own some property and your feelings will change. But I doubt that will ever happen.
ROFL!
whogotarrested?
whogetsnoloveon12oz?
whodidIthinkwasagirlcuztheirtagissofaggy?
whois31andstillhastopaintoutsidecuztheirartsucks?
whocantpaintoutsideanymoreandusesmessageboardsastheirnewgraffitiforum?
whoissoboredsincetheygotcaughttheyhavetoantagonizepeoplethatlovetheirneighborhoods?
wholovesyounow?
love the fact that you have been forced to move your mark making into the realm of media….
maybe you should get a twitter account too, then I could choose to subscribe to your effeminate imagery and ideas, or not.
31 years old, still wishing you were 20…. good luck with that.
whocantwaittowatchyoubuffingandpowerwashing?@gmail.com
me
why dont one of you design a fan district association tag and print shirts and stickers and sell em back to the homeowners that you clearly envy?
I’ll tell you why
cuz you are 31 and still tagging
FHF
Seriously, screw this town and its residents who think along the lines of fanguy, paul h and joe. They are a minority in their opinions.
If anyone doesn’t move into an area due to graffiti, then they shouldn’t be in the FAN to begin with. I’ve owned many properties and been here for 10 years. I’ve had my property tagged but it’s no big deal. Paint over it or get a sandblaster if its on brick.
The only reason i’ve ever heard of someone not moving into an area is due to black people living there. It may sound crude but it’s true. Why do so many people move to the west end when they have kids???
Doing graffiti has nothing to do with wishing you were younger or having a midlife crisis. Some of the best graffiti artists in America are in their 30’s and 40’s. Seriously Paul, get a clue.
Look up Dash Snow, Saber1, REVOK, Banksy, BORF, and BAST. These guys are selling their works for thousands of dollars and tagging still. Many of them have works in MOMA, MOCA, TATE Modern, and other museums. Dash has many pieces that consist of his tag alone in MOCA. Cool Disco Dan has tagged Richmond and DC so much the Corchoran Museum has his tag on permanent display.
You can still see the tags of BORF around Richmond and he is internationally known and well respected.
Macy- Screw these guys, they are stereotypical dumbass Richmonders who live in a fantasy world.
all douche, all the time
rebar
40oz is the best tag I have ever seed.
movin
that
crop
Macy, Not Banks and crew. There are many useless buildings in Chesterfield and Henrico that could use your special touch. Consider the possibilities. Share you art with the world.
It used to be graffiti was the realm of gang bangers. Now we have to deal with selfish bastards such as yourselves. If you want to be artistic, then do it on your own dime.
Not Banksy-No way you own and maintain property here. Sandblasting historic brick? What a poseur! What a liar!
You’re not even “Not Banksy” as a Google search reveals. Go back to the suburbs wannabe.
TAKE THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE SUSPECTS OFF HERE …THATS NOT RIGHT AND ALSO….ANY ONE WITH NEGATIVE COMMENTS UNLESS YOU ARE AN ART CRITIC DONT SAY IT NOT GOOD AESTHETICALLY….STFU…AND WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING THATS ACTUALLY GONNA AFFECT YOUR LIFE…IT BOTHERS ME HOW MUCH PEOPLE TALK ABOUT STUFF THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM….WHAT DO YOU DO??WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL?? DONT BE MAD CAUSE YOU HAVE NO VOICE AND NO BALLS TO GET ONE AND YOU GOT TO GO ONLINE CAUSE YOU WOULD EVER SAY THIS SHT IN PERSON TO ANYONE FRIKKEN PUSSYCAT!!!
OH AND BUMP REBAR…LMAO
Joseph – “Not banksy” can be anyone who isn’t BANKSY you dumbass. There is an artist in London who uses that name for his work, i was using it as an alias for commenting on this board.
I have owned several properties here in the FAN and am willing to bet I make more money than you. I really didn’t want to get into a pissing contest with you guys about income, finances, etc., but that is all you and the others are focusing on here.
It’s easy for you to think that graffiti artists are a bunch of poor kids and gangbangers, but the truth can be the exact opposite. Some of us own homes, make 6 figure incomes, have graduate degrees, work in government jobs, and drive nice cars. We just happen to love graffiti art and street art.
and yes, you can sandblast a historic or non-historic brick wall. Done correctly, it causes no damage to the brick. I know it’s a hassle, but i’ve always viewed it as one of the circumstances of living in the FAN – same as the possums, the late night screaming, the bums, etc.
and “Joseph”, a google search revealed that you are not in fact Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary. Go back to the Malvern area you poser!!
LMFAO!!!!
OMFG!!!ROFL HELICOPTER!!!! He wants us to remove his name and address from the internet!!!
You can guess what I want him to do.
bump bustd
Not Banksy-Posting on this blog during work hours at your high powered, high income job eh? Right, what a POGUE! Use your own alias you lazy poseur, not the graffiti artist’s in the UK.
I’m thinking you are just a self entitled middle class VCU art student (or ex student hanging on in the FAN) who likes to tag posing as an urban property owner.
Busted, those names and the charges are a public record with the City of Richmond.
Hey Joseph, Ever heard of an I-phone? It allows internet access without being subjected to VITA’s internet filtering. You really are dim…..
I have known Mr. Portillo for some years and I know he is a great guy and have always known him to keep his work in art books. I was shocked about this when I heard what he had done, however since then he has realized how stupid it was and does not have any intentions on doing anything like this again. Him and I both know you can’t go back in time and change anything however he is human and we all make mistakes; some bigger than others. I know there has been an on going attempt to “clean” up the streets in Richmond and this certainly did not help, but Ricky has told me he is very sorry for what he has done and does ask for forgiveness and has contacted the owner or the builging he had painted on and has appologized to him as well. I just thought I should post this coming from someone who actually knows him because I don’t want anyone to be under the impression he is a criminal or is part of the scum of society. He is a good person who just made bad mistake.
Thanks for you time,
Lloyd
Well Fanguy, his address is under public records so I guess it’s a deal. Go draw all over there stuff. You refer to them as cowards however you hide behind the name Fanguy rather than using your real name. By the way incase you missed it my REAL name is Lloyd. Again this is not something he does on the regular it was a one time mistake. If you would really like to see his “art” he has drawn some pieces for my friends and I. I will be more than happy to take pictures and send them to you or I will be more than happy to meet with you in person so you can see his work 1st hand Mr. Coward. Also you can realize you are speaking blindly about something you know nothing about. Far as my opinion of Graffiti…. I don’t think it’s right to do and I don’t support it however from time to time I am amazed of the peieces/tags I see and sometimes even if the drawing isn’t that good the location can still be mind blowing. Mr. Portillo’s actual art in his books are rather good and he does have a world of potential and this was just something different he tried and realized he will stick with the pens, pencils, and paper. What about you fanguy, do you really feel that strong about graffiti or has your life become that bland that for fun you search for things and gather little bits of bias information and state your opinions and call people names and lable them when in reality you know nothing about them. Well let me try to lable you…..hmmmmm …… your probably a 30+ year old virgin who lives in their parents house (probably the basement)and has nothing good or exciting going for them so as a hobby this is what you do. Calling people, good people such names as a coward. Well Fagguy your the only coward I’m seeing. Pick something new to do….card games, video games, reading books, coin collecting, etc. etc. Hell maybe you should try graffiti. Who knows you may end up liking it much more than slaming strangers hidding behind your computer screen.
Wow, where to begin. For starters, I’d just note that calling yourself “Lloyd” (even if that is your real name), is only slightly less anonymous than calling yourself FanGuy. In either case, no one knows who you are.
You don’t have to be an artist to appreciate art. But this isn’t about art, it’s about property rights and respect for your neighbor’s things.
The rest of your comment “Lloyd” is so rich with irony (for example, this little gem: “Calling people, good people such names as a coward. Well Fagguy your the only coward I’m seeing”) that I really don’t think it deserves more of a response, other than to say if it’s not cowardice to paint on other people’s property under the cover of night, come knock on my door and ask me to watch you as you tag my house, and you will see what happens.
I think I get it…
I think I get the allure, dressing up in your hoodie, backpack or messenger bag full of cans, sneakin around… fuckin shit up, stickin it to the man…proud of your get ups….runnin away from the cops….showing us/everyone that you do exist….
I just want to reserve the same rights…..
and by the way.
You will be us…
proud of your home, proud of your space, proud of your accomplishments, protective of your turf and your work…
you guys get to act above the law…
just like me….
I get the allure….
thank you richmond police and Fan fans! you have unknowingly brought more attention to graffiti than it has seen in the past year,congrats your whining backfired!!!!!!!!
Bump internet losers!!!!