To the editors:
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McGrath characterizes the 1988 graffiti crackdowns as police “harassment.” DeBat and his friends apparently feel no remorse for their harassment of the property owners whose buildings they’ve damaged, yet McGrath implies that DeBat is a misunderstood victim of “cop” injustice. Enforcement of the laws which are designed to protect citizens against acts of vandalism and property damage is hardly harassment.
And where was the parental guidance whose real responsibility it is to help prevent such acts of vandalism? Apparently aware of DeBat’s activities, (“My dad was sick of hearing stories of illegal murals”), but delinquent in exercising any influence until the police got involved, which McGrath characterizes as ” . . . threatening phone calls to the DeBat family.” Since when is the attempt to involve a juvenile criminal’s family in stopping criminal activity threatening?
Bonnie McGrath replies:
