THE GOOD . . .
Taking back our streets.
We applaud the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA) — and all others like it — in their efforts to curb vandalism.
Though we are lovers of art, we feel that graffiti is a blight on our communities.
It lowers the value of area homes and reduces sales in business districts.
And though the NYPD has resources allocated to graffiti removal, it is an uphill battle.
Often, spots that have been cleaned of vandalism will be retagged days — sometimes hours — later.
So bravo, WRBA, for your vigilance in finding, chronicling, and cleaning graffiti.
And, working with the NYPD, we hope that your efforts will help take some graffitists off the streets, making Queens a cleaner, more beautiful place to live.
THE UGLY . . .
In unrelated incidents, a two year old and a four year old fell victim to the latest spate of gun violence.
That brings the tally to three.
Three children, all under the age of five, have been hit by stray bullets this summer.
When will the madness end?
If the massacre in Aurora, Colorado, which left 12 dead and 58 injured, is not enough to spur action, then this should be.
We MUST urge our legislators to increase gun control. It is time we stood up.
Write, call email – TODAY – and tell your local senator and congressmember – even the president – that you are in favor of gun control.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: 202-456-1111
Senator Charles Schumer: 322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-6542
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601
New York, New York 10017
Phone: 212: 688-6262
