Its a disappointing and destructive diversion of teen talent, in my opinion.  Graffiti art has certainly become en vogue - forms of it actually helped talents like Basquiat become known. Certainly vandalism is not to be condoned, but there are mechanisms in play in the form of dedicated and well-meaning nonprofits like my friend Santina Protopapa's Progressive Arts Alliance.  If these youngsters are (and they should be) offered an opportunity to contribute more civilly, legally, and artisically once they have satisfied legal admonishments -  it would be wise to route them to organizations like PAA, who can help channel these 'urban' talents productively to NEO's public art benefit.

peace.

These teens may have redeemable qualities and I hope that we see that side at the sentencing.  Personally, I am not out for a stiff sentence.  I only want these suburban kids to realize that people living in the city are not an abstraction.  We are real people. 

I will say that I am beginning to think of people, who live in the suburbs, as an abstraction.  To me, they live outside of reality.  While they think that they may have it good--they are missing out on rich human interaction and the basics of life. 
Drive your kids to school, drive yourself to the park, drive yourself to the grocery to buy milk.   You don't sense the disconnect? Do you really enjoy the fake community of Legacy Village and Crocker Park?

Despite the occasional human shortcomings of my neighborhood (that can occur anywhere), I feel like they are the "poor" and we are the rich.  I am the one who has it good.  Peace to you, too, Sudhir :) Laura

AFTERTHOUGHT--Paint it RED.  Perhaps we can give these kids an opportunity to make a dramatic impact on the neighborhood by painting the panels of the Brighton-Brooklyn Bridge RED.  It's a gateway to downtown and it frames a sprawling vista. 

More of an AFTERTHOUGHT--Last night 8/31, after viewing Feagler & Friends hosted by Rick Jackson, who I much prefer as a moderator to Mr "I live in Bay Village because I am afraid of po' city folk" Feagler, I've decided that I am going to publicly out anyone portraying themselves as "Clevelanders" and using "we" to describe themselves, when they live in the suburbs or exurbs.  Stop talking for me.

Actually, I am asking the PD to list the information, much like they routinely list a person's age in the context of an article.  Something like: Dick Feagler, 110, Bay Village, says...

So, where do Port Director Adam Wasserman and Union Boss Harriet Applegate live?  Rick Jackson also interviewed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, but I am sure that she still lives in Massachusetts, because she thoroughly disowns Euclid OH as her birthplace in her bios.  I'll cut Rick Jackson some slack, even if he doesn't live in Cleveland, because I like him.

  I like what I see--beats a parking lot and three crap art benches. 
Does PAA need a home?  --how about merging with Art House (who am I kidding?--take them over--please) to benefit the CITY? We have a new progressive pastor at the Brooklyn United Methodist Church, which was built on a plan similar to Pilgrim Church in Tremont.  Think of the synergy!  If Denison School gets redesigned/rebuilt than Brooklyn Centre will have a real center with programming radiating from the students. Wow :)

Yesterday--as I painted half of my city barn gable RED (also known as a garage)--I noted to my real artist neighbors that I finally understood the difference between me and them.  They like projects.  And they don't do a half-ass job of completing those projects, which is why we need real artists in the CITY.  Not bullshit artists.

  Courtwatch for your neighborhood.  Know your neighbors. Speak out against crime and corruption and plain old stupidity.

In high school, I, too, was prostituted to sell bad candy and raffle tickets door-to-door.  This has to stop and the mentality behind this story should help folks see that we have a long, long way to go on understanding OUR kids...who grow up to be stupid, fearful adults.