Lanza And Oddo Urge Parents To Help Fight Graffiti

Staten Island, NY – Despite new laws on the books, continual removal efforts, and clear statements of accountability from law enforcement, the graffiti problem on Staten Island continues to worsen, with some locations growing markedly worse. On Saturday February 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., in front of the now shuttered Boulder Creek Restaurant at 1821 Richmond Avenue, New York State Senator Andrew J. Lanza and New York City Council Minority Leader James S. Oddo will stand and make the following plea to Staten Island’s parents: "Please help!" The simple truth is that, for the most part, it is Staten Island’s adolescents – someone’s children – engaging in this destructive behavior. Parents must be more involved, more engaged, and help prevent these pointless acts of property destruction.

The two lawmakers will speak firmly and frankly in the hope of enlisting a new ally in this seemingly never-ending fight. The fact is that many of these acts of vandalism are occurring between the hours of 1 and 4 a.m. This means that many Staten Island teenagers and even pre-teens are roaming around in the middle of the night scribbling on walls. This begs the following question: where are parents when their children are out at all hours of the night destroying property?