What You're Saying About Graffiti in Eldersburg

A recent article exploring the issue of graffiti in Eldersburg and Sykesville met with a variety of responses from readers.

Here's a sampling of what people said on Facebook and in the comments section. You're welcome to add your own thoughts below.

Buck Harmon:

"Maybe the town could build a grafitti wall in the park - kinda like a skateboard park for skateboarders, trails for hikers. Creative wall painters deserve to have their canvas stretched as well."

Emily:

"Vandalism is not art. If someone liked shooting holes in walls, would you pay for their own walls to shoot? Perhaps public money should be spent for each person's entertainment and humoring the foibles of every individual. Good thing there's an unlimited supply of that. Or better yet, maybe the Sykesville Police could actually do something other than write speeding tickets and put their ATV to use chasing vandals?"

Joe Eldersburg:

"Graffitti is indeed vandalism and the only thing the painters should have stretched is their time behind bars! Like NYC proved, it's the little things like broken windows that subtly tell criminals that crime is OK in a community. Grafitti and senseless vandalism is one of those crimes that brings our entire community down and it needs to be seriously prosecuted, whenever offenders are caught.

"Most of these crimes go unsolved and are the result of repeat offenders, so it is important that penalties be severe enough to serve as a deterrent to others. I heard that our Sheriff's dept. had, at one time, forced those convicted of vandalism to face their victims, as part of their restitution, but don't know if it continues, as parents thought it too harsh."