I recently posted a blog column about the increasing appearance of graffiti in national and state parks — and the need to ramp up punishments to deter this defacing of our natural wonders and wilderness. The last story concerned Andre Saraiva, an internationally known graffiti artist, who “tagged” and bragged about his own defacing of nature. He spray painted a boulder at the Joshua Tree National Park. Now authorities are looking for a teen who spray painted a rock face in Idaho to impress a girl and get her to go with him to the school prom. It should not be too different to investigate this particular crime, but the question remains the punishment that should be meted out.
The teenager painted the message “Destiny, Prom?” on the side of the Black Cliffs, in a popular rock climbing spot in Boise. Such acts remain misdemeanors, though that can result in up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.
As I noted earlier, there is a need to increase punishment to overcome a lower detection rate for these crimes — the relationship between punishment and detection is at the heart of deterrence theory. In my view, people have to go to jail more regularly to deter this crime. I feel the same way about the two Americans who recently defaced the Roman Colosseum. I also strongly believe that the Italians and other government need to release the names of such people.
However, the fact that this is a teenager would weigh in the balance. I still believe that a short jail time might be instructive but I draw a difference between a stupid, love-struck kid and a vanity-driven adult like Saraiva. Even for the teen, there should be a sanction (at least a long community service at the park in cleaning up areas) and a heavy fine if we are going to deter this crime. The victim is not simply the public but the ultimately voiceless victim in nature itself. Absent a serious deterring punishment, this type of defacement will continue — fueled by adolescent carelessness and, in the case of Saraiva, all-consuming narcissistic vanity.
By the way, Destiny, this guy is a total loser. You have better options, even if it means taking your Dad.
Kudos: Professor Roger Schechter
Source: NY Post
Wadewilliams – I cannot speak for the idiocy of other people, including yourself. If you cannot see the nose of the camel under the tent, that is not my fault.
Wadewilliams – how much more wrong could you be? I went to each state and checked their election returns. Each city voted for Obama. You are either a good Communist or a good Muslim to be able to lie with a straight face like that.
Ooops.
Then maybe you know a little something about alien abductions?
Schulte
Wrong Again.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek handily won another term as the head law enforcement official of the state’s most populous county.
Stanek earned more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Minneapolis Deputy Police Chief Eddie Frizell, who received only 32 percent of voters’ support. Stanek said the electorate’s support is a validation of the way he’s run the department.
Stanek is a Republican.
Wadewilliams – you are without question clueless. I said each of the cities went for Obama in 2012. We are not talking outside races or other years.
Schulte
Always Wrong
SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama — After a solid victory over three challengers in the primary election for Shelby County sheriff, Republican candidate John Samaniego received plenty of support in Tuesday’s general election to win the office.
Schulte
Always Wrong.
Betsy Price is the 44th mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. She was elected on June 18, 2011, in a nonpartisan race to replace mayor Mike Moncrief, and took office on July 12. She is a Republican who previously served 2½ terms as Tarrant County tax assessor-collector, from 2001 to 2011.
Wadewilliams – what part of non-partisan do you not understand?
Schulte
Always Wrong.
Sheriff Dee Anderson….Ft. Worth……Republican
Wadewilliams – the US Rep from Ft Worth is a Democrat.