The Observation Deck

Bryan Schwegler wrote:
City Council is not responsible for enforcement, that's the Mayor. Council can ask all they want, they can legislate all they want, but if the Mayor doesn't enforce the laws that are enacted, there's not much Council can do.

That's like asking Congress to enforce laws…it's not their job, it's the Presidents.

The question truly belongs in the Mayors lap on this one. Personally I'm a little disgusted that MTG will show up here and tout his "endorsements" but won't respond to a serious thread by the citizens like this one. I would love to hear his answer on why the graffiti is still there.

To be honest, the man has done nothing to earn my vote this November.

Well said and so very true Bryan.

Bryan/Danielle/Others

This is why we do not cover graffiti!

The Graffiti is still there because they are trying to figure out how to get it off. The feral child used a solvent based enamel. It was aborbed by the sandstone. They have tried every cleaner they have, and have been able to lighten it. The are now left with sandblasting using everything from walnut shells, glass beads, and sand.

Walnut shells are how they clean sandstone normally, like the Hope Carnegie Bridge. But the paint is into the stone and it is doubtful walnut shells would remove it. Glass beads and sand will remove part of the etching.

Which again is why we do not cover "tagging" these people need no encouragement. From what I know of the tagging culture, most marks are very easy to track down if from within a city. Hit some parents with some $100,000 clean up bills, and I think it might slow down.

FWIW

Danielle Masters wrote:

Bryan Schwegler wrote:
City Council is not responsible for enforcement, that's the Mayor. Council can ask all they want, they can legislate all they want, but if the Mayor doesn't enforce the laws that are enacted, there's not much Council can do.

That's like asking Congress to enforce laws?it's not their job, it's the Presidents.

The question truly belongs in the Mayors lap on this one. Personally I'm a little disgusted that MTG will show up here and tout his "endorsements" but won't respond to a serious thread by the citizens like this one. I would love to hear his answer on why the graffiti is still there.

To be honest, the man has done nothing to earn my vote this November.

Well said and so very true Bryan.

Hit some parents with some $100,000 clean up bills, and I think it might slow down.

I agree. The way to deal with this is to be aggressive. I did speak with Mr. Beno yesterday, so I do know they are trying to get it off. I have to wonder why the mayor who so quick to come on to say who has endorsed him isn't quick to come on here and just say "hey we are trying". I would prefer that rather than silence. I also hope that the city s looking at protecting the stone work and other buildings that would be targets with a protective coating. Is seems like in this case an ounce of prevention might be worth the cost, especially with how much is being spent on the removal. Hopefully the police department and the courts are tough on these vandals. While it may seem like child play to some graffiti is a crime that effects the whole community and makes us look like a ghetto, not what I want.

Thank you for the post and pictures Danielle!! Bringing this to everyone's attention does make a difference! Since the police said they don't have enough officers to watch the parks, and the city can't afford security at parks, it would nice to bring more awareness of this to everyone in Lakewood and encourage all to call the police every time they see punks damaging property.

I do laugh at the thought of community cleaning, not just because of the high taxes, but I only have three kids and I spend all my time cleaning and cooking here! How would Danielle with five kids or any parent do that????

I still vote for a budget that includes security at the parks!!!

We can clean up graffiti every day, but while the graffiti is a symptom of moral decline, the causes of it still need to be addressed. That is why we have to continue to support all the early childhood intervention programs as well as get some teen center back in Lakewood.
You and I never vandalized other people's property, because although our lives were far from perfect, we were still valued as human. Kids that come from homes of absent or drug-addicted parents, or abusers, are made to feel that they have NO value. So how can they be expected to value property? Typically, males take out their crushed spirits on property or people. Females take it inward and continue abusing themselves. I know I am the bleeding heart and many don't care about the "why's" but if you want to stop the graffiti, keep reaching out to the kids. We may be their only teacher that day, the only kind word they hear.

That being said, I still vote for more security, fines for the kids who get caught along with community service, and public awareness to alert police when witnessing such acts. Rewards for tips on catching people would also be money well-spent. Westlake has a diversion program for teens who get arrested, which includes community service and a counselor. If Lakewood does not have this, we should get it. If the city can't afford it, there are always grants out there!!!

went to Cleveland Heights today with the baseball team...saw some really interesting graffiti

how about this for an example, it was on a car dealers building?

Justine Cooper wrote:We can clean up graffiti every day, but while the graffiti is a symptom of moral decline, the causes of it still need to be addressed.

Nice post.

Moral decline linked with civic laziness.

Ken Warren and the library each year offers the Prism Report. The one area that changed the most was "Tribal Urban Elders." This refers to over 50 adults taking care of their grand kids. This was seen as a troubling aspect to the city.

The problem as I see it is we have an increase in kids, whose parents are divorced, in jail, in drug rehab, or simply lost custody. We would cause these coming to The Wood for troubled reasons. They land with their grandparents who love them, but were not ready to raise another set of kids in their golden retirement years.

Kids will be kids, and as Grandma and Grandpa fall asleep in their chairs, they tend to take to the streets.

Justine is correct and others have spoken of it. We must find ways to channel the youth of Lakewood into positive programs. This is where, music, the arts and sports can help. Grant money is available. If the Beck Center is committed to Lakewood, where are the FREE after school programs.

When I was a kid, we had a ton of programs. But somewhere along the lines, BMWs, Mercedes, a couple more drinks became more important than directing our children, our future, and now one all of our problems.

This is an easy one to fix, this is not rocket surgery.

.

I agree, being both a grand-dad and a new dad.

I'm not sure which generation, X, Y.Z , or whatever, who pumped out the last batch of kids, but they indeed in general have put their material self-wants above guiding their kids, who are now no longer "kids".

Count me in on whatever, to help provide the currant "kids" with a concept that seems to have been lost for far to many: "aspiration".

Mark Allan Crnolatas

Has anyone heard if a new teen drop in place is in the future?

Is there any council now working on anti-vandalism like rewards for catching someone or other ideas?

Mark wrote:

I'm not sure which generation, X, Y.Z , or whatever, who pumped out the last batch of kids, but they indeed in general have put their material self-wants above guiding their kids, who are now no longer "kids".

I think that is only a small fraction of the problem. The larger problem I notice while raising my children are the parents that have the "Oh - they'll grow out of it" syndrome.

You know- the ones whose children throw the world loudest temper tantrum in the restaurant and get the ice cream as a result because mom (and/or dad) are sure that the tantrum is because they have failed as parents and havent been nurturing enough....

Or have children that run amok screaming day and night and the parents defend the rude behavior with "they're just kids being kids"

Or the ones that have 12 year olds that call them b***** and a**h*** and even worse without fear of reprisal because they are 'only expressing their feelings'.

.. but Ill stop there... this is one of those things that can send me out to deep space....

Suffice it to say that not all parents are off cruising in the bahamas... some are sitting right their watching it happen.

Always,
Charyn

Bill:

I wanted to note that Lakewood Public Library and the Panzica Construction and Infinity Construction have completed testing the "Elephant Snot" Graffiti Remover. We also evaluated various pre-coats and evaluated these for aesthetic impact, cost, and the effects of "Elephant Snot" on treated areas.

"Elephant snot," used with a power washer, is a great solution for spray painted graffiti.

Thanks, Bill, for the help.

We will be adding it to our cleaning supplies.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Kenneth Warren wrote:Thanks, Bill, for the help.

We will be adding it to our cleaning supplies.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Your welcome. I offered to donate the product to the City but they were not interested.

What did you do, phone up City Hall and tell them you had a big vat of elephant snot you wanted to donate? I could imagine the response would be "uh, thanks but no thanks".