Central Graffiti Artist Busted with Meth, Accomplice Also Behind Bars

Looks like 2 less people walking the stage tomorrow... So sad :/

They should have known they would get busted. After all, the writing's on the wall! Apologies

These guys are looking for recognition. You could have easily cropped the picture to eliminate their signs on at least three corners of the picture. No sense in rewarding them with the recognition they are seeking.

Channel the talent. When they get out of jail, that is. Offer them a choice, which they're probably too poor and neglected to even be aware of.

I know a graffiti artist in town that used his skills for good and not evil. So, it CAN be done! Hire that mofo and get him to work for cheap producing incredible art around town...or put him on some welfare program for which our taxes are going to waste and he'll end up on the street wasting everyone's time and money. If I saw him making art downtown, I'd more likely drop a dime for his efforts than vote for some schmuck who wants to give our money to all the idiots who don't have skills like his. If he's got talent...EXPLOIT IT!

While it was stupid to graffiti the wall of the school it's even more stupid to charge a kid with a felony for doing it. Yeah he shouldn't of done it, we can go on about that forever, but a felony? I know there is a good chance the kid would have probably winded up in some trouble later, especially with the meth, but I just can't see the police actually taking time to figure out who did this when the paint was still fresh and very easily removed. There's been worse senior pranks before, the Central one 10 years ago where they were pissing in water balloons and also filling them with bleach comes to my mind mainly. I just hope the judge has some sense and the parents try to help with his drug problem before he becomes a drain on society. A felony record will guarantee that to happen if the conviction follows through.

It's the willful destruction of property, why does charging them with a felony seem out of line? Take in account whether they knew it was wrong, first of all. They did. The clean up certainly costs money, who pays for it? Stiff penalties won't prevent things like this from happening, but it will surely set an example for those who are thinking of tagging up walls and buildings with this garbage. I've never bought into the argument of people like this just needing a proper outlet for their expression. There are art supply stores loaded with posterboards and sketch pads. This is clearly a blatant middle finger to the public. They're going to do what they want to, and the hell with the burden it places on others. There's no difference between trash like this who scrawl on buildings and those who would burn them down. Though the courts will probably unleash these animals back into the community with nothing more than a fine and a warning to behave themselves, at least they're one step closer to doing some actual hard time and caged away for the time being.

Yes, kids will do whatever they want - as any human being would - which is exactly why they need to channel that frustration/talent/idiocy/whatever into something useful. Locking them up is definitely a start - perhaps it will serve as a light bulb moment. My guess is that it won't. The'll be put in jail with other idiots and left to "mature" in in an environment that does nothing to promote usefulness to society. When they're released, they'll probably go back to the same environment they came from - and repeat the same idiocy again. They need mentorship, guidance, strict rules and an environment that allows them to channel their energy. It's no different than raising any kid. If my kid put graffiti all over my house, you can bet your ass I would punish him, but I can't just lock him up and throw away the key. I need to find out the root of the problem and deal with that - not the symptom. I'm less forgiving for adults being in this situation. Some folks are just meant to be behind bars for the rest of their lives. If these kids have any chance in life, now is the time to invest in it before it's too late.

Joe, I know the graffiti artist of which you speak. Take a look @ Beluh 42 on Ave N to see his work. I propose that a graffiti wall be erected. As a suggestion, in Kirby park by or near the skating area for these artists to express their art. Let it be seen and appreciated without any destruction or vandalism charges being filed. I, as a business owner, would contribute to such and endeavor.

If you would really like to see these kids learn to make better choices, the big brothers program is in desperate need of men who would like to mentor a young boy. Help him learn to make better decisions and maybe be the only positive role model in his life.

I'm not sure about the overall effectiveness of "Big Brother" programs, but it seems that holding some of these kid's parents accountable for their little delinquents may serve the public better in the long run. Absentee/neglectful parents are allowed to whelp as many brats as they wish and suddenly it's up to everyone besides them to give a damn. TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs work wonders for stray cat populations. It's too bad we can't implement the same venture for people in certain neighborhoods. On a more realistic take, maybe offer vouchers, gift cards and coupons for people of certain criminal/socioeconomic backgrounds to volunteer for sterilization. I'd religiously donate to that cause.

Are they bringing in bulldozers to knock down the walls, then I dont think destroyed is the correct word if a coat of paint fixes it. I agree in letting someone more talented painting downtown, not saying these kids just anyone more talented.

Lares!! I'd love it if you'd become part of my page!!! https://www.facebook.com/SASource A place to come and voice complaints, opinions, advice, kudos, etc!

Good afternoon J.D.. I really do appreciate the invite, however I don't have a FB account.

Lares!!! You should definitely get one. Your input is very much valued on my page.

i hope these guys wore a respirator while spray painting... i would hate it if the paint fumes ruined there their meth or pot high... actually this graffiti is not art... i have seen some in museum shows with graffiti and the works of graffiti art actually use principles of design and principals of art that make them art. this is no more than doodling on a wall for recognition and it turns out because it was a school building it was a felony... please lets not encourage the talentless... however if someone would like to sponsor an art contest where artists and real graffitti artists (good local artists included)come to town and compete... now that would be something great for our youth to get to see and possibly compete in.

In relation,did you know that the Storm Isaac ravaged the Gulf Coast a week ago. Unfortunately, he was just the start of the hurricane season. Sadly, these catastrophes also bring out a unique breed of rip-off artist that preys the traumatized and financially-strained victims of the tragedies. Resource for this article: https://personalmoneynetwork.com/

While I definitely agree with the fact that some people don't deserve the privilege of being parents, I don't think sterilizing groups of people is the answer. Then you become Hitler...is this what you want?

You need a license to operate a motor vehicle or breed animals. You need a library card to check out a library book. In some cities you need a permit to hold yard sales. In the days of video/dvd stores you needed a few forms of I.D. along with your completed application to rent. However when it comes to indiscriminately popping out children, anyone, anywhere can do so without respect to their abilities to care for and/or manage them. Childbirth under ANY circumstances is celebrated with the least capable and/or intellectually vacant individuals contributing the highest numbers. If your very life is sustained by entitlement programs, by what logic have you resolved to bring more people into the world to face the exact same circumstances? If the government is your mommy and daddy, you have no business becoming a mommy or daddy. Most career criminals did not grow up in the best of homes. Their parents had little to no education and a criminal background which trumped their employment history many times over. Drug abuse, family violence and instability are key factors which shaped the lives of our world renown inmate population - and yes, a majority of today's inmate population are 3rd generation welfare recipients. These are people the world could indeed do without. Without taking into consideration the costs of sustaining indigents and their offspring (WIC, EBT cards, public housing, Medicaid, year-round free lunch programs etc.), it still costs between $15,000 and $20,000 a year to house a single inmate in Texas. Multiply that by the 180,000 inherently useless shells of human beings we warehouse and then ponder the possibilities of what good we could do with that money, rather than furnishing room, board and luxuries for criminal garbage. In the 1950's the entire world's population was about 2.5 billion, in a span of just 60 years we've nearly tripled that number. In 40 years were expected to hit 10 billion. Food production is down in many areas and water supplies are dwindling, with the amount of environmental pollution, hungry mouths, neglected children and dangerous criminals only increasing by the day. These are factors which must be managed with coherence and unbiased acumen, rather than political correctness and outright apathy. It comes down to what kind of world you prefer living in, one which encourages and enriches the cogs in the wheels of progress or one drained and overrun with social parasites and ingrate filth.