This seems to be a favorite canvas for some of Albany’s graffiti vandals.
The south leg of the walking and bike path between Albany Station and Swanson Park was built in 2015. Ever since then, the concrete blocks of the path’s retaining wall have proved irresistible to vandals with their spray cans.
I don’t know how many times community volunteers and other graffiti fighters have whitewashed that wall or cleaned it as best they could. But as soon as the wall is clean, it is covered again with paint. Maybe not right away, but certainly in a matter of days or weeks.
This is the wall that passengers on southbound Amtrak trains see just before they pull into the station, or as they leave heading north.
The situation is hardly unique. The world over, it appears that ruining public spaces with spray paint has been going on for a couple of decades or so. It’s another example, as though one was needed, that shows civilization is going down the tube pretty much everywhere.
But that’s no reason to give up. On its website, the Albany Police Department has a couple of paragraphs about “graffiti abatement.” It says there’s even a “graffiti removal program.” Its purpose is to help property owners deal with this problem.
“Participating organizations encourage citizens to report the presence of graffiti and expedite its removal,” the police website says. “If you are a victim of graffiti in the Albany area, please call the Albany Police Department, 541-917-7680.”
Reporting graffiti and cleaning it up is one thing, and useful too. Even better would be running timely patrols and catching a few spray painters in the act, and then forcing them to repair the damage they’ve caused. (hh)
This hole in the fence separating the Station-Swanson path from the Union Pacific right of way has been there for a long time.
The “bleeding hearts” in our city (the same ones who enable the rest of the rift raft) will cry, “They’re only trying to express themselves. Leave them alone.” Of course they only say that when it’s someone else’s property.
So why not turn it into a plus like Miami does and give them a place to show their art. Which now is a major tourist draw for parts of Miami. Graffiti art can be incredible! The probable reason they tag the one wall is to get the attention of the people with. Since people will always tag give them a free safe place to it legally and then prosecute the people who tag indescriminately.
How about letting them use YOUR house as a canvas? I’m sure your neighbors would approve.
The Albany Downtown Association is coming up with a mural-project soon…
It figures. What other illegal activities are you going to condone?
Which basically says we’re to lazy to do anything about it, so we’ll join in and make it a “feature”.
What a legacy along with the crumbling streets.
“Let them do it. It might be wonderful.” The kindest response I can think of is “That is a terrible idea, please stop.”
Actually, I have and am considering having the walls of my studio painted with art by graffiti artist or perhaps a mural. From what I have heard there are graffiti artists — very good ones –looking for places they can legally tag!
Mr. Hering, I love reading your blog and hope you will keep doing what you do. Thank you!
(satire detector on)
The real problem?
When public property is used as the canvas, the artist isn’t first getting permission from the Arts Commission and City Council.
Art is only art if it’s part of the city’s Master Plan.
It’s the lack of government control that irritates, not the art itself.
Get in line. Follow the rules.
(satire detector off)
Hasso writes: “Even better would be running timely patrols and catching a few spray painters in the act, and then forcing them to repair the damage they’ve caused.”
As usual, Hering, a longtime resident of these environs, is caught in a double bind of his own making. I’ve been reading about the utter disgust Albanians have for the Spray Can creatives forever. And the Hering Solution, which would add “timely patrols,” is an idea worthy of consideration.. But…there’s always a hitch. The citizenry of Our Fair City don’t want to contribute monies to purchase said “timely patrols” because, as they insist, government (which these folks view as cash-swallowing aliens unconnected to “the people”) already take too much money, while simultaneously doing far too little for the taxpayer.
The gap between what Hering suggests and the death grip Albany residents have on their wallets is far too wide for the Timely Patrol concept to move forward. Instead, we must be content with the occasional graffiti gripe in these columns.
Given current attitudes amongst Albany’s hoi polloi, spray painters need never fear retribution from Hering’s Timely Patrols. Albany residents will never pay the price necessary to protect their vision of pristine concrete. Albany citizenry will, however, continue to tilt against windmills for as long as griping in the print press allows.
JH
Well spoken
Response is too slow. Recently, the east side of I5 has been seeing a big increase in graffiti. If the community doesn’t get it fixed and fixed quickly, it will just get worse.
East side of I-5? BORING!!!!!
The path behind Lowes is the worst I’ve ever seen.
The reason we can’t have nice things.
The City just created a new, highly compensated position & bought a truck to deal specifically with the problems you’ve recently posted about. Is nobody in the position yet, or is the position an ineffective waste of money?
https://hh-today.com/new-city-job-stem-problems-in-albany-parks/
The official has been hired and is in training, I’ve been told.
Thanks for the speedy update! Appreciate it.
From LAST OCTOBER!- “Harnden and Lyddane told me they expect to have a person hired, trained and be ready to start in January.”