July 5, 2009
- Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot - Idaho
Graffiti Images: A Blurry Question
By Rick Montañez
For the last few weeks we've been reporting on a big graffiti problem in east Idaho. A problem the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office says is the worst they've ever seen.
But when we run those stories you will only see blurred images of the graffiti. And we've had several people asking why that is. "They're criminals," says Lt. Joe Cawley with the Idaho Falls Police Department. Tagging, graffiti, vandalism, either way you put it, it's a crime. A crime investigators say people do for attention. "That's vandalism and a lot of reason why people do that vandalism is to get the shock effect and recognition from people. So, we don't want to give that to 'em," says Cawley. When we show you these images of graffiti, the police ask us to blur them out because they says taggers use their street names and that's what will give them the recognition. "They're gonna write their names or someone else's name or a slogan that they have," says Cawley. Of course, you can see exactly what these images show, just by driving by. The question is, should you see them on TV. "I think its fine to show it," says Beth Lords. "I think the important part is to make sure your letting us be aware that its happening here," says Debi Saunders. For Spencer Lords, he thinks you at home need to see the images. "They need to make it real, so people will know that this is a real thing. That needs to be dealt with," says Spencer Lords. But for Teri Smith, she sees both sides. "It's a double edge sword, I really don't know what the answer is," says Teri Smith. "It'll be interesting to see, if you did show it, if it increases. Or, if its blurred out, if it increases." Either way you look at it, graffiti is a problem, and both Idaho falls and Bonneville county have made arrests in the cases we've been reporting on. In terms of blurring the images, that's a constant topic of discussion here at Channel 3, if you'd like to voice your opinion on the matter, send us an email to yourturn@kidk.com |
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