How I taught young vandals a lesson without saying a word.

I’m all for street art, but mindless vandalism, nah. Not in my hood. This is what happened when I saw a group of young teens ‘doing their thing.’

I say ‘doing their thing’ but that implies they were enjoying a hobby. I suppose, in their own way, they were. Sadly, it’s the rest of us who have to look at their ‘hobby’ every day we pass by.

At some point, a council worker armed with what looks like an uncomfortable spray tool, undoubtedly difficult to hold for any length of time, will be tasked with removing the teens’ ‘work of art’. I guess it gives someone a job, but other than providing the next vandal with a clean canvas, I doubt they gain much satisfaction from this task. I have watched walls cleaned like this numerous times, and it looks like a long, boring job.

Alternatively, on the bright side, it will provide a street artist with a blank canvas to create something actually worth looking at. I always have that hope. I like real street art. The kind where someone actually has a skill. Not everyone can be Banksy (as much as they want to be), but it’s fun to see new stuff appear when it is interesting and creative. And yeah, I know that is illegal too.