Graffiti Around the Southland: Youthful Art or Vandalism?

Your article on “upscale graffiti” was both maddening and a sad commentary on some of our youth (“Upscale Youths Making Own Marks With Graffiti,” by Alan Citron, Part I, April 24). Make no mistake about it, graffiti on either public or private property is vandalism. After all, public property belongs to all of us and we all pay for the damage. It is sad that the RTD will have to spend $6 million this year when the money could be better spent in other areas of transit needs.

At the rate these jerks are defacing the Southland, we will soon be known as the multimillion-dollar ghetto. A drive through many parts of town already gives you that feeling today. I wonder how these vandals would feel if someone “decorated” their homes, cars or commissioned works of art.

The Times also crossed the line--reporting the problem but then identifying some of the “artists” and displaying their “work.” All that is going to do is inspire others to copy the fad.

BOB GRIFFITH

Anaheim