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101 Graffiti
updated: Jun 26, 2012, 5:02 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I was shocked to see this brazen assault on public property. It is sickening and ugly. This is the sign for the Mission st. exit heading South on the 101, completely destroyed by some punk. I just got back from East Los Angeles and I have to say, we aren't much different up here when it comes to all the graffitti.

It's just as abundant and just as ugly.

Why can't the cops crack down on this and stop it? The penalties are obviously not strict enough. We need to do more or we will look like LA. Whoever did this particular thing was as bold as can be. There is no way that they accomplished this, even in the wee hours of the morning, without being seen by someone... Is anyone else as mad about it as I am?

Send this picture as a postcard

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 291651	2012-06-26 05:24 PM
I saw this today as well.... absolutely disgusting! Unfortunately our police have let this kind of behavior go for way too long. I hate to say it, but at the pace we are on now, we will be L.A. in the not too distant future. If the cops wanted to crack down on this and gang activity, it would be gone in 6 months (If done correctly). Unfortunately our cops seem more enthralled with busting locals that aren't wearing seatbelts or setting up crosswalk stings.
COMMENT 291652	2012-06-26 05:29 PM
Might as well start singing " Born in East LA" because that's what we look like. City isn't doing a thing about it. They're more concerned with evil plastic grocery bags.
COMMENT 291653	2012-06-26 05:35 PM
Tagging needs to become a felony.
COMMENT 291654	2012-06-26 05:37 PM
This is tagging; not gang graffiti. Big difference in who you blame. Taggers are often idle and organized Anglos. Gangs leave gang identity calling cards that are far cruder than this well-developed piece of illegal urban "art" and genuine traffic hazard. Particularly if someone is looking for an emergency hospital exit. There was a recent major arrest of one of the tagging groups, so this is probably a calling card he served out his sentence. The numbers might be a clue as to Penal Code violation. Cute attitude and thanks to all who think this is artful expression that needs to be encouraged and celebrated.
BIPOLARESQUE	2012-06-26 05:44 PM
i saw this, as well.... and i missed my exit, so thanks a lot, graffiti jerks! can someone explain EXACTLY how they accomplish this vandalism? seems odd to think someone climbs/leans over, spray paints an entire sign, and no one notices. i realize it's probably done at crazy hours of the night, but i can't imagine any time of day or night that there are more than 45 seconds with no cars at all on the freeway OR on the overpass.
COMMENT 291660	2012-06-26 05:45 PM
ahhh our future world leaders!
COMMENT 291668	2012-06-26 06:13 PM
Graffiti is graffiti. Try to parcel it out in your mind all you want this behavior must to put to a serious stop by our city leaders and local police. Period!!
COMMENT 291669	2012-06-26 06:16 PM
Isn’t 747 the area code of the San Fernando Valley? Maybe we should send some of our taggers/graffiti “artists” to decorate their freeway signs with 805? A nice penalty for a first time offense would be to lose a thumb. Second offense, lose the other thumb. That might slow them down...
COMMENT 291671	2012-06-26 06:22 PM
Imagine if the tagger put all the energy and physical agility into something truly positive like work or school. Good thing I don't need signs to find my way around this lovely town.
COMMENT 291674P	2012-06-26 06:27 PM
I saw this as well around noon. I couldn't believe that it was still there, because rapid removal is a very effective tactic in preventing graffiti. To me, since grafitti is basically a territorial marker, it's as if someone defecated in public. No beauty at all. I think it should be a felony.
COMMENT 291676	2012-06-26 06:38 PM
Google Fatcap dot com. There is a reference to a 747 crew graffiti street artists. Not sure if this is related. I saw this today on the freeway and was upset by it.
COMMENT 291678	2012-06-26 06:40 PM
I saw it this morning as well. I agree with @651 the SBPD seems more consumed with crosswalk sting operations, seatbelt violators and busting canibus clubs than dealing with the thugs in the 'hood. We need a hardass type of chief to come in and clean up the streets and clean house within the departments. We also need a City Council that will backup that kind of chief.
COMMENT 291681	2012-06-26 06:47 PM
I agree with 669. Ugh. Caltrans upkeep of Santa Barbara 101 is abyssmal. Litter. Collected litter bags waiting for weeks for pick up. Caltrans trucks/personnel drive up and down, see this stuff, and just leave it. Not in their job description, i guess. So sorry for the SB/Montecito area that their portion of 101 is so third world looking.
COMMENT 291684	2012-06-26 06:50 PM
$20,000.00 fine when caught, and a sentence of 1 year of mandatory weekend clean up of trash and graffiti throughout the town (8 hours on both Sat and Sun). If the culprit is a juvenile, his/her's parents are required to participate in the 1 year clean up duty with their child. Sound harsh? GOOD. These idiots have found a way to bypass the fences (S hook and a nylon rope I'm sure). This is simply a slap in the face to all the people that love this city. I hate it.
COMMENT 291686P	2012-06-26 06:54 PM
That tagging took more than 60 seconds. WTF, Hiway Patrol & SBPD! You mean to tell me NO citizens even bothered to call this in during the night?! Insane. I guess Santa Barbara "gets what it pays for," & in this case it's we want to look like San Jose, Oakland & Los Angeles, CA. Unreal. Is this what it's going to take to finally do something? Law enforcement appears to be the clowns in this case.
COMMENT 291687P	2012-06-26 06:57 PM
This image BEGS to be voted Picture of the Day here on EdHat so hopefully some city official will see it tomorrow morning & be thoroughly disgusted & embarrassed. How 'bout it, EdHatters? When it wins, we can all make sure it gets distributed all over the city. VOTE!
COMMENT 291688	2012-06-26 07:00 PM
In case it was overlooked by others, I reported this grafitti on a CalTrans web site "Maintenace request" designed just for this purpose. Be aware of it for future reference.
COMMENT 291699	2012-06-26 07:27 PM
Like it or not, the only thing that will change this type of behavior is the fear of "real" punishment, ie public caning like in Singapore.
COMMENT 291705P	2012-06-26 07:44 PM
People had to see it happening. Everyone carries cell phones now. Get off the road and call 911. Unless we get involved, it will keep happening. AND -- I am sorry, but I see no difference between gang identity calling cards and tagging. Both are an eyesore and need to be stopped. Graffiti is not "art" it is vandalism. For it to be "art" urban or otherwise requires permission.
COMMENT 291706	2012-06-26 07:46 PM
This won't change as long as Schneider is mayor and Sanchez is police jefe. When is the next election we'll have an opportunity to throw out the bums (err...I mean elected officials)?
D8VANILLA	2012-06-26 07:59 PM
I didn't read every response here, but what does the "747" signify??? What does it stand for? And, one person said its a tagger and not a gang ????
D8VANILLA	2012-06-26 08:01 PM
I would NOT vote this "picture of the day" EVER.... Do not give it any recognition.... And, there is a hot-line to call and they will clean it up within 3 days....805..897.. 2513
COMMENT 291716P	2012-06-26 08:04 PM
Delayed threats (getting caught and punished later) mean nothing to those that live in the minute with as much direction as a Roomba VAC. Even with the shape of the edges of the sign those little curs managed to lift their legs yet again. How about an electrified fence around signs? Shock a few of these latrine artists and let them "feel" the disapproval of the irate citizens of Santa Barbara. If they manage to land head first on the freeway? tsk, tsk,tsk, what a pity that would be. ~sarcasm~
COMMENT 291724	2012-06-26 08:23 PM
These people work in teams. They have look outs and they typically pick 3-5am to do their work. Get up yourself and go look at how much traffic goes by on 101 at that time. Stop blaming the police because there is no way they can be everywhere in the city and patrolling 101 at the same time. It is rare there is any observation of graffiti crimes because they are random and they do have their look-outs. So cut them some slack. The far worse accomplices are the people who think this is cute. Peer pressure will do more to combat this than putting a police person on every block 24/7. Do the math and get back to me if you think we can afford this level of 24 hour full city surveillance. Video cameras have been installed in many of the chronic vandalism spot and it has deterred the abuse there. We need more.
COMMENT 291729P	2012-06-26 08:34 PM
I agree with 705P, "Graffiti is not "art" it is vandalism. For it to be "art" urban or otherwise requires permission." However, obviously this little miscreant has some artistic talent. It is just too bad we can't find a way to give him/her a legitimate outlet for that talent.
COMMENT 291730	2012-06-26 08:38 PM
FYI to all the "cops do nothing..." First off the cops in this town go from one call to another without being able to do proactive Police work- Thank Cam Sanchez, Mayor Schnieder and City Administrator Jim Armstrong. Second and most importantly- Judge Ochoa and the rest of the criminal court Judges FAIL to carry out the sentences to these punks and their parents that would make a difference- How about making them wear zebra stripped outfits and cleaning up the graffiti and trash along the roadways; It is within the Judges authority to do so, but they are all WEAK!
COMMENT 291735P	2012-06-26 08:43 PM
Unfortunately D8VANILLA, this picture needs major, public recognition so the community at large finally realizes this problem exists BIG TIME here in Santa Barbara. It's no longer a once-an-occasional-late-Friday-night occurrence like a few years ago. I also agree with 706 in that the MAYOR & POLICE CHIEF need to take a public stand tomorrow or else the little tagger dogs will continue to revel in seeing their handiwork in public places. All these punks need to see is sever punishment, hundreds of hours of community service removing tags and then some hard jail time to really drive the point home. Oh, how about putting the names of the offenders & their parents, if their punk is under 18, in the paper & online?!
COMMENT 291740P	2012-06-26 08:51 PM
It won't be fun when some idiot slips and falls in front of a car or truck either. I'm with 669, time to call in the jailhouse surgeon to do some thumb chopping. "No spray can holding for you!"
COMMENT 291746P	2012-06-26 09:19 PM
I wonder if said punk(s) are reading this and laughing their arses off at us. I say, find these perps, lock'em up with only one duty, cleaning up graffitti with only a toothbrush. Bring back the chain gang. Let their friends, relatives, and neighbors know who they are and what they've done by perp walking them to and from each site. Agreed, they can't be doing this without help or being noticed. If you help or witness this crime and you do or say nothing your just as guilty as the perps are and you should be simularly punished.
COMMENT 291752P	2012-06-26 11:16 PM
740P" it won't be fun" but it will be karma.
COMMENT 291765	2012-06-27 06:57 AM
For those who do not know... 747 is one of the area codes of the valley. The CHP has jurisdiction here. So quit whining about our Mayor and police chief.
COMMENT 291768	2012-06-27 07:02 AM
This is vandalism and needs to be punished. Yes the mayor and chief of police need to have a public program Santa Barbara Beautiful that rewards those who call in and bust the taggers. As a city we need a zero tolerance policy and the money to hire more police. Punishment, including parents, needs to be more severe (please no thumbs - that is cruel). My car was vandalized by taggers. It is in the repair shop and will cost over $275.00 for my type of back window. Schneider, Sanchez design a program to bust these guys. We have had enough.
COMMENT 291769	2012-06-27 07:04 AM
@654 "Cute attitude and thanks to all who think this is artful expression that needs to be encouraged and celebrated." Seriously???
COMMENT 291773	2012-06-27 07:11 AM
291653 - YES! If it was a felony the police could arrest the perps after the fact. And since these idiots are writing their names its not that hard to convict... Just use a handwriting expert to ID the idiots and send them off to court. Make it a felony and we would solve this problem. I for one dont have a problem with sending these idiots to prison or letting the judge send them into the military. That will cure their misguidings and give us a steady supply of infantry...
COMMENT 291776	2012-06-27 07:24 AM
I am reading everyones comments blaming the cops in Santa Barbara. But shouldn't we look to the home life and maybe start putting some of the blame on the parents that are letting their kids get away with this kind of behavior.
REXOFSB	2012-06-27 07:24 AM
@716P: Remember the tagger who fell to the pavement and was killed a few years ago while spraying his "art" on the Milpas Street overcrossing? He was not only held up as a heroic figure by his homies, but by more than a few bleeding-hearts in the community as well, who were sad that this..."artist"...died while simply "expressing himself." And as long as these vandals receive any sympathy AT ALL from people who view them as "misunderstood, misdirected street artists," the situation is only going to get worse. These punks aren't artists, they're vandals.
COMMENT 291779	2012-06-27 07:27 AM
It is a felony as the damage total well exceeds $400. It is interesting to me that this crime inspires SO much anger yet deregulating banking and the Bush tax cuts for the super wealthy are tolerable. I guess we need more super pac funded tv commercials telling us that tagging is a good thing.
COMMENT 291780	2012-06-27 07:27 AM
This issue generated a lot of heat on Edhat. More than almost any other issue on Edhat recently, except the bird refuge. The people that are calling for more police, more punishment, more enforcement - why do I get the feeling that they are the 1st to complain when they are asked for money to build a new jail and hire more cops? I don't think there is a way to enforce our way out of this problem but maybe if these kids had an alternate way to express their artistic and/or rebellious feelings, they would leave our signs alone. Some of these kids end up as respected artists in their own right, with painting and exhibits worth $1,000s. Can anyone suggest a positive outlet for this?
COMMENT 291787	2012-06-27 07:39 AM
I agree that the crime and graffiti in SB are escalating and the police are more concerned with stinging suburban folks with DUIs and pedestrian traps (expand those coffers!). Working the DUI shift is very important but why advertise? - just announce the number of drunk drivers caught and say: maybe we'll be in YOUR neighborhood next! This graffiti needs to be challenged on a significant basis, the cops know who the perpetrators are so why do they tarry until they have a 10 lb case against a single person? That's crazy! Who's running the farm here? SB is so tourist conscious (ever listen to KEYT news?), you would think we'd put on a clean face at least.
COMMENT 291805	2012-06-27 08:14 AM
Taggers who do this sort of vandalism are not "punks" and are not Latino gang members who leave other types of vandalism markers behind, but not this type. This is the work of Anglo adults so stop demanding their "parents" get punished. The police have a graffiti tracker system that electronically digests grafitti to link it stylistically to other known perpetrators around the state which has led to significant arrests. The worst crime does come from local bleeding hearts who kick the police in the teeth when they do try to enforce the law. Or put impossible demands on the police to be everywhere at once, while mocking their additional public safety efforts which are equally critical such as cross-walk enforcement and citing sidewalk skateboarders.
COMMENT 291822P	2012-06-27 09:01 AM
Both above and below the "St" are what look like signatures, 'RTP' and '(???)' The investigators must have seen these before in other 747 graffiti. Hopefully they are hot on the track and arrests will be made. SB'rs, keep up the complaints to the CalTrans website here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/msrsubmit/ select 'Graffiti' from the drop-down 'service type' menu Use exit number if you can.
COMMENT 291824	2012-06-27 09:05 AM
The walls along the train tracks between Las Positas and Mission get tagged every single day! Next time you see it painted over, go back in 12 hours, it will have tagging on it again. We don't need cops on every street corner 24/7. We need them in a handful of places a couple nights a week. It would be easier to catch taggers in this town than to kill gophers in your yard, yet we make it seem like we have no idea where they will strike next. Does anyone know if a citizens arrest would work in this case?
DILLYDALLY	2012-06-27 09:14 AM
I am with @780 on this. I know it sucks that you all got a ticket for some traffic violation at some point years ago and are hurt that cops would "target" you while letting the gang members slide. Get over it! The level of policing most of you propose would require more cops, more administrators and dispatchers, more cars and equipment, more overtime, and tons more money. Remember that next time you get on the soap box about cutting funding to SBPD. Also, if you didn't notice that is not our area code. So the gang is from out of town. Hard to prevent a gang from out of the area coming in and tagging. The most I expect as a citizen is they investigate the crime, try to arrest the individuals IF they are still in town, and clean it up quickly.
COMMENT 291839	2012-06-27 09:34 AM
Increase the fines and punish the perp with embarrassment. Sheriff Arpaio in Arizona may be tough - but you know what? IT WORKS.
COMMENT 291845	2012-06-27 09:42 AM
It does? Cite a stat or a study at least. Making a claim like that because you want it to be true doesn't count. Next thing you know Faux News will be citing you as a "source". Ridiculous.
COMMENT 291851	2012-06-27 09:50 AM
The SBPD is concerned with crimes that kill people.
COMMENT 291857	2012-06-27 09:57 AM
What a funny thread. These tags take place between 3-4am when there is no one around and those who are ain't paying much attention to the darkness beyond their headlights. So who's supposed to call it in? The folks who believe that unlawful expressions of personal freedom is more important than "being a rat"? The folks who believe "kids are kids... whaddyagunna do"? The average citizen who doesn't want to be bothered with the hassle of getting involved? Who? To the Nancy Drews in the crowd I suggest you don't give up your day job but maybe work on improving your powers of observation. If you can look beyond your first knee jerk you might actually come up with a useful and constructive point of view.
COMMENT 291869	2012-06-27 10:13 AM
This is the work of disrespectful punks many of whom likely live nearby on the West side of the freeway. They have NO respect for anything. They are encouraged by their peers and their "parents" have already failed completely by the time these punks can wield a spray paint can. Any foolish, liberal/progressive/democrat that tries to rationalize this vandalism as some kind of underpriviledge "work of art" should invite these punks to deface their home, car and other property and maybe their naive' politically correct mentality will diminish some. Better yet, have all of those bleeding heart liberal/progressives that rationalize the vandalism of these punks, pay for the damage.
COMMENT 291872P	2012-06-27 10:19 AM
There is also graffiti on the sidewalks, including Santa Barbara Street, around the curbs, especially after newly painting red for no parking. It's everywhere and it remains. I've mentioned it before and nothing has been done at all to remove this ugliness. I would also like to see more trash receptacles particularly after Solstice Parade as trash is everywhere afterwards.
COMMENT 291875P	2012-06-27 10:20 AM
Let us be sane about this. We have graffiti on a Freeway that allows passage of people from virtually any area code and we will not control it completely. I agree, as someone who spent a couple of years researching graffiti and students educationally at risk... resulting information is that there indeed needs to be better arts education, (including true technical skills) that address the importance of skilled arts expression. In Washington DC and other places where graffiti is given a public outlet connected to excellent arts education (and NOT a crafting free for all, with no reference to skills based knowledge) graffiti as vandalism has lessened. There are solutions, and all do not include punitive, angry (and expensive) punishments.
COMMENT 291880	2012-06-27 10:24 AM
My motto has always been "In the face of lawlessness,vigilantism must be society`s governer",but that`s just the opinion of a Veteran who now waits monthly for the states hand-outs...
COMMENT 291883	2012-06-27 10:25 AM
Just another reminder of how far our city has fallen since Mayor Schneider was elected. When are the people going to say enough is enough?
COMMENT 291908	2012-06-27 11:00 AM
839: RIGHT ON! I'm with Arizona! The commenter who said that most taggers are Anglo is seriously misinformed! I am a business owner and our building gets tagged weekly. We have caught two of the perpetrators and they were teenaged hispanics. We prosecuted (or tried to) and all they got was a slap on the wrist. As soon as the so called punishment was over they came back and hit us AGAIN, just to show us a spit in the face. How do we know it was the same kids? We photograph the tags. It's disgraceful. THERE HAS TO BE A SOLUTION and I believe it HAS to be harsh!!!!!
COMMENT 291922	2012-06-27 11:17 AM
@779: word.
COMMENT 291933	2012-06-27 11:32 AM
669: Vigilantism is juvenile and almost never leads to anything good. What impressive clairvoyant skills you possess, to be able to get into the tagger's mind, and decide for the rest of us, that they intended "747" to signify an area code in the San Fernando Valley, so exclusive that no-one has been issued an actual phone number with that area code. So, exactly what act do you advocate taking against a population of several hundred thousand people who had NOTHING to do with the act of vandalism done most probably by locals, to a local freeway sign?
DILLYDALLY	2012-06-27 11:57 AM
@933 your info appears to be from 2009. There are many thousands of 747 numbers out there. Gangs often use their area code as a tag. Assuming that 747 refers to the area code is a safe assumption.
COMMENT 291958	2012-06-27 12:01 PM
and it is still there this morning for everyone to see as they pass under the overpass
COMMENT 291994	2012-06-27 12:55 PM
Those who blame "L.A", due to the 747 area code, must have not even done a Google search of "747". Locals' snobbishness outweighs objectivity in I.D.'ing tagger(s) who in all likelihood, are local. "747" has 2 meanings that are extremely more relevant to the case at hand, but of course, blame-throwers don't take kindly to facts that contradict their biases! To enlighten and edify edhat members, "747" is the trademark name of a commercial product claimed to put a clear "barrier" on a given surface, to greatly ease removal of graffiti! Look it up, it came up instantly for me. Of even greater relevance, "747 Club" is an international Graffiti "Artist" association, based in Arras, France, that also came up prominently on a Web search. Quick Watson - I think we have better clues to our perp's identity, than a silly telephone area code, eh what?
COMMENT 292000	2012-06-27 01:14 PM
Just a head's up: Exit 747 Southbound 101 is still closed.
COMMENT 292100	2012-06-27 04:03 PM
COMMENT 291678 Seat belts save lives Crosswalk violators kill lives Tagging/grafitti doesn't kill. It is obnoxious, yes. But, I rather have police vigilance at a crosswalk at 5PM, then a sign watch at 3AM any day. There is a distinct difference between life and discomfort due to ugly spray painting.
COMMENT 292142	2012-06-27 05:28 PM
678.... PLEASE! We're not talking alternatives here. It's time to get rid of the filth that has been infesting our community. Too many locals trying to make excuses for this kind of behavior. I'm with the cut off the thumb rule!
COMMENT 292176	2012-06-27 06:14 PM
And to all y'all who say that crime and gangs are on the rise, cite a reliable study that says as much. Crime has been on the decline for years* and the media, in large part, ignores that. It doesn't sell soap and it puts all the cops' (who we hired when it was more arguably on the rise) jobs in danger. * search: csmonitor Why America is safer now And to preempt those of you that will say that national trends aren't local trends or that there are statistics that support a rise in crime in SB, consider the source of such nonsense: the cops who are now fearing for their jobs and pensions.
COMMENT 292346P	2012-06-28 10:24 AM
I immediately thought of the airplane. Let's stop blaming.
COMMENT 292569	2012-06-29 08:30 AM
It's STILL THERE as of June 29!!!!!! How many days have we let that ugly blight sit there proudly for those punks? C'MON CAL TRANS! Should I go up there and clean it myself?
COMMENT 292679	2012-06-29 01:13 PM
@176 Studies don't always tell the story. If you can't FEEL the increase in crime and gang activity in Santa Barbara and Goleta, you might consider a reality check. I get tired of listening to these diatribes about "studies say this" and "we need a study for that". Be alert and sense whats going on around you... thats your "study". It doesn't cost the taxpayers big money either.
COMMENT 292769	2012-06-29 06:12 PM
Once again folks. This is the message from the first poster, "Unfortunately our cops seem more enthralled with busting locals that aren't wearing seatbelts or setting up crosswalk stings." I did not propose the alternatives in my posting. The reality is some of the posters want police vigilance at 3AM to bust the taggers and in the same posting complain about the police busting seat belt violators or crosswalk stings. Have you read the most recent article about a family of three in Orange county getting hit in the crosswalk by a hit and run. One of the little girls died. The mother and her other daughter are in critical condition. They were hit, tossed over the car's hood, flew and landed on their itty, bitty heads. One's dead, dead, dead. She could've been your granddaughter.

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