What is the thinking behind the editors’ choice to run front-page and center the story about graffiti vandalism with photographs of the deeds? Sure, the story is that important and it sparks our civic outrage. But does coverage in such a prominent place, in fact, inspire the vandal or others so inclined to repeat the offense?
Isn’t graffiti all about being noticed and on display? What does the vandal think when he or she sees their work on page one? Maybe the story minus pictures, moved to the editorial page, would transform the story into a teaching moment. Or maybe it doesn’t actually matter because the vandal probably doesn’t read the newspaper in any case.
Alex Hobson
Foothills
