Jason Kitchekeg was a long term resident of Uptown and did much of his criminal activity in the area. In the fall of 2008, Jason was caught spray painting a building on Sheridan Rd. By the time the police were alerted to his actions, a five block stretch of N Sheridan Rd from Montrose to Ainslie was covered in graffiti and etched glass. Tens of thousands of dollars of damage was done to Uptown's historic buildings, businesses and homes. Unfortunately, he could only be charged for the damage to the one building that witnessed the act.
Jason plead guilty to Criminal Defacement to Property in December of 2008 and was sentenced to 30 hours of Community Service and restitution to the damaged building in the amount of more than $3,000.00. The judge and the attorneys involved bent over backwards to give him the opportunity to avoid a felony conviction. To the best of my knowledge, he never repaid a dime of money and I have no idea if he ever completed his community service.
And now he is gone and left behind grieving friends and family. What a waste."
it *appears* that he did this? who cares--he's dead. I can't believe someone was enough of an ass to write in after someone's death to say things like "unfortunately he was only charged with ____."
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying death makes everyone into angels, but good grief. could have at the very least removed the name before writing in with a blame-the-victim attack.
(it should be noted that I have also just read the other report that also gives the victims names and circumstance of the death; nonetheless, I think someone writing in with "another side of the story" about someone's *death* to point out the victim's shortcomings is nothing short of crass.)
ReplyDelete"Victim"? He repeatedly caused thousands of dollars of damage to other people's property, never paid the court-ordered restitution, was caught committing the same crime over and over and over, ran from the cops when he was caught, and died as a result. Not what I'd term a victim, just someone addicted to breaking the law and who died because of a stupid decision. If there are victims here, I'd reserve that term for the people who had to pay to clean up the damage he caused, and the family and friends who are mourning his loss.
ReplyDeleteI don't know...
ReplyDeleteI see the OP's point, but this does kind of scream: "IN POOR TASTE."
Maybe we'd be better off making this point a few days later, without specifically referencing the dead?
I think the point of this blog is to bring the people of this diverse community together in the interest of the neighborhood, and I just can't really see how this article does that. Yes, we should be aware that some people are getting away with more than they should (and in turn committing even more crimes), but there are a LOT of other examples that we could use to prove that point.
Definition of "victim"
ReplyDeleteWe are all victims.
I hate those taggers and graffiti scum. All they do is slowly rob a community of money and decency. So yes April, I'm going to blame the victim.
ReplyDeleteAs it stands, we are the "writers" of our own obituaries. People will write of us as they witnessed us. If it's important to me that people speak well of me when I'm dead, it's up to me to set the tone of my own obituary.
ReplyDeleteHis family is probably aware that many in the community were frustrated with their son's behavior. It's certainly a time to be respectful, but reading how he "loved Chicago" got me irritated. I don't want graffiti markers (they're not artists when it's criminal behavior) to have a false impression that their art is an expression of their love for the city. It isn't.
...it's as simple as this, he shouldn't have been running from the police. period.....
ReplyDelete@April - yes, the "other side of the story" does just that.
A big thank you to the person who posted that.
I agree with April. There's, of course, much more to Jason's life than his criminal history.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the LARGE graffitied homage to Jason that "appeared" near the corner of Sheridan and Leland this morning is further testament to his good deeds.
Trib follows up
ReplyDeleteI dunno. I'm not going to lose one second of sleep over this criminals death. Culling of the herd I guess. Now if we could only get the rest of the criminal element to follow this mans path......
ReplyDeleteI hate when people use the word "artist" in a way to legitimize what these people do.
ReplyDeleteThey're criminals, plain and simple.
Since when is it legal to destroy private and public property and since it is illegal, this person was a criminal. I'm tired of seeing their "artwork" everywhere. It is a plight on any community. If a person wants to be an "artist" grab a paint brush and some canvas. This is about gangs and their impact on a community. This person died breaking the law. He knew what he would face if caught. He made the choice to break the law and to run from it. Write your congressman, senator and alderman, there should be a state wide ban on spray paint. It should be locked up and an ID should be shown to buy it. Enough is enough. Anyone remember the tagger hit by a red line train a few years ago? He was an "artist" too. Don't paint your "art" on my property, you do not have the right to do that!
ReplyDeletetagging is shitty and criminal and causes people pain and time--NO ONE is arguing anything otherwise--but I can't believe so many people here are saying that the deceased deserved dying because of it.
ReplyDeleteyes, he's going to be known for dying of something stupid. that is his fault. however, it's not exactly a death-row crime, but that's what some people are implying here...that because he had some crimes on his record, that it's okay he's dead because of it.
some paint on a building < someone's life.
re-examine your priorities already.
Kris - I hate seeing their tagging as much as you, but a statewide ban on spray paint isn't the answer.
ReplyDeleteChicago has a hand gun ban and a ban on spray paint but we still have shootings and taggings. Doesn't work so well.
April, it's apparent that you do not understand. People are tired of being victimized and then having someone tell that that there was another side to the offender that should be considered. Here's a clue. We don't care. We don't care that this young man felt a need to display what he considered art on someone elses property. We don't care that he may have done other things in his life. We DO care that he destroyed my property as well as other peoples property. Stop enabling these criminals. And that's what they are. Criminals. The world is a better place without them. Boo frickin hoo, cry me a river. I go to court everyday and listen to the private attorney or the public defender spout the same nonsense. " Your Honor, my client was a good man, He worked everyday, supported his family", yada,yada,yada. It's disgusting. WE DON"T CARE that he's gone. Next topic please?
ReplyDeleteapril h
ReplyDeleteWow, i didn't mention anything about "death row" or anything even close to that. Don't tell me I need to "re-examine" my life. I trust that I have lived in this city far longer than you and have seen far worse than the death of a tagger that he caused. Sad that he died but if he wasn't breaking the law, than why run? Why jump in the river? He made the choice to do that. By the way you are responding here, it sounds like you think it's ok to destroy other peoples property and when you die doing that, you seem to expect society to pay tribute to this person. I choose to be a law abiding citizen, he chose not to be and died. I suppose you think drug dealers who also break the law and die should be morned as well? Perhaps you are the person who needs to "re-examine" their life. Tributes are for courage, hero's and untimely deaths, not criminals.
it's not exactly a death-row crime, but that's what some people are implying here
ReplyDeleteWho?
I don't see anyone blaming his death on the fact that he's a graffiti artist.
What I see are (most) people unwilling to put the "victim" tag on him, since ... after all ... he brought this on himself.
Nor do I see anyone willing to shed too many tears over this.
Is that cold? Sure.
Is it evil and worthy of condemnation? Meh.
Note: out of the three people caught in the act, only one of them died: the person who escaped being nic'd by the cops by jumping into the river, in winter time.
If anything, this may simply be a sad exercise in social Darwinism.
I'm not religious, but there's this general principle that seems to serve as a guide with how to act: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
ReplyDeleteI wonder what taggers think about this Golden Rule? Come to think of it, I think much of the frustration on this board is due to those times this rule is violated.
When this rule is not honored, another rule comes into play: "You reap what you sow."
May he rest in peace regardless.
but I can't believe so many people here are saying that the deceased deserved dying because of it.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think anyone is saying he deserved to die, just that they aren't losing any sleep over his death. As crass as that may be to you, it's a big difference between actually saying he deserved to die.
Personally, while i wouldn't wish the guy dead, he made a choice, in many instances: doing something he knew was illegal, making the decision to run from the cops rather than face the consequences of his action, and his manner of escape. It isn't like this was some kid still finding his place in the world, this was a grown man. He made the decisions, he paid a sad price for one of his decisions. I wish his family peace at this trying time, but like the others...I won't worry about this other than my brief initial sadness at a senseless death.
Sassy:
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying but it's too big of a generalization for me to not comment. we are all victims at some point in our life, just because s*it happens doesn't make us victims forever.
Just Wondering:
I am religious I feel that there is a fundamental misunderstanding in many Americans. A common belief that no one need blame themselves for the 'events' in their lives. Some people think they are completely independent of the stranger next to them in the bus. Fact is we live interwoven lives and even simple acts affect those around us. This tagger guy damaged property in the past and may never have thought twice about how his actions hurt others.
The adages you used are useful. A simple fact is we all have made mistakes, some worse than others. We shouldn't assume to know all of a persons mistakes (or crimes in this particular case) and we shouldn't attempt to determine what end is just. It isn't our position in life to say what punishment is proper.
miss Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying an overall ban on spray paint. What I'm saying is, in the city of Chicago, we have a ban on spray paint, meaning it has to be locked up, which it is in hardware stores and places like Home Depot if they are within city limits. However, a tagger can go to Evanston,Skokie or any other town/city and buy it. We need to have a statewide ban, all spray paint locked up in the state, an ID shown when buying it and an age limit, like maybe 21. I realize it will not eliminate graffiti but it may hinder it. The cost the city pays when the "graffiti busters" have to come clean up the mess is in the hundreds of thousands. Every single citizen in this city needs to call 311 when they see a tagger. We need to be more involved. Putting a "tribute" on a wall, as I saw happening yesterday, only feeds these thugs. Frankly, I'm tired of seeing the city I LOVE, go to hell in a hand basket. I am involved and you might be surprised the difference involvement makes. I live in Edgewater and I have noticed a tremendous increase of graffiti in the area. I have contacted my state officials and I write down the "tag" so they know I'm not just blowing smoke. This is a crime, pure & simple. Take the time and make suggestions to your elected officials. The people have the voice and the power to make changes. We are the ones who contribute to society, not suck it dry like these taggers and gang bangers.
Ditto "Big Daddy".
ReplyDeleteOh, and I call it Darwinism.
Banning spray paint statewide!!??
ReplyDeleteThat will just create an illegal market in spray paint.
The sale of spray paint is prohibited in Chicago. Not the possession. I have a number of lovely cans I acquired outside "da city". I use it to keep my backyard grill nice and shiny.
The way to deal with graffiti artists is the way the NYPD dealt with them. A dedicated unit to tracking them down and then punishment. These guys do tens of millions in damage every year to private and public property. They are not "artists".
Not happy with your CTA service? Partially blame the artists as the CTA spends millions per year dealing with it.
As for Candice's take on "victims" I am going to channel my deeply hidden, flamboyant hairdresser and say "Honey, with that dye job and style you SHOULD know the definition of "victim". Then I'll snap my fingers twice and do that head moving thang I see on SNL skits.
The deceased was 26 years old. It was time to grow up and move away from his "art". Unfortunately, he won't have the chance now. He made a horrible choice to run and he paid with his life for that choice.
Uptown Unity, thank you for your words. I can say "amen" to that.
ReplyDeleteApril,
ReplyDeleteThanks for being the only voice of humanity on this board.
Sadly, the attitudes of many here on UU are quite callous. But this post really takes the cake. The guy tagged buildings, he didn't molest little kids or murder anyone.
From the looks of many of these posts many in our community believe that there are people who are better off dead. "Dawinism" or "Culling of the Herd" have been posted. Reminds me of the last post I responded to where people threw out the word "animal" when describing another human being.
Kris responded to your point of view with the old standby "you must not have lived here very long." Can't tell you how many times I've read that after I posted on this blog.
It really sickens me when people devalue another human being's life. And if you feel that the person you are calling an "animal" doesn't value your life... well you might just be right. But why would you sink to their level?
Hopefully this man's family will never wander onto this blog and see all the terrible things people have said. Whatever you think this man deserved, I'm sure his family doesn't deserve more pain.
In response to Kris' last sentence..
ReplyDelete"Tributes are for courage, hero's and untimely deaths, not criminals."
Amen, sister!
Irish,
ReplyDeleteif you reread my post, it says it should be locked up everywhere, not just in the city of chicago. It serves no purpose to ban the sale of it here and not do it statewide. I am for locking it away all over this state and requiring an ID to purchase it. Everyone uses spray paint for valid reasons so banning it all together is not an option. Locking it up all over the state as they do in the city seems to be a partial solution. I did not mean ban spray paint entirely. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
RAYCH;
Perhaps you don't get that law abiding citizens are sick to tears of those who deface our communities. Of those who move to our communities and bring their passion for crime with them. We're sick of bullets flying in the middle of the day because some gang doesn't like the other gang. We're tired of innocent people getting hit by bullets and property being damaged. If that makes us callus, I'm sorry but continuing to "turn the other cheek" doesn't seem to be working. I'm 61 years old and believe me when I tell you, this city is worse off than it has ever been. Why don't you try talking to the people who are older, who have lived here longer than God, who have seen it all? The good, the bad and the ugly. It's hard not to get callused when you don't want to be out at night anymore because thugs roam the neighborhood. So at 61, I can bet I have lived here longer than you and I can bet I have more in site as to the changes of my neighborhood than you. The fact of the matter is this, it's hard to show "humanity" as you put it when none is shown to you by criminals. I am involved, are you?
Raych,
ReplyDeleteA criminal is a criminal. They get punished for their crimes accordingly. I have not said he deserved to die. I have said he made a choice, as we all do each day when we wake up. We either follow the rules of society or we don't. The choice is ours. He made a choice. You seem to be missing that point.
Kris, I'm not sure of the point you are trying to make. You are sick of the crime in your neighborhood... I never said I was not. If you have lived here for a long time then I bet you do have more insight to the changes you have seen than I would. I am not disagreeing with you there but what I do disagree with is the response to the situation. I refuse to sink to their level. I will try my hardest to show humanity, even to those who I don't believe deserve it. I will not apologize for that.
ReplyDeleteYou said in your last post that I missed the point. I did not say he made a good choice- in fact nothing I have said has judged this man one way or another. I just believe it was in poor taste to write an article about the shortcomings of someone who has recently died. What was the point of that I ask you?
"but I can't believe so many people here are saying that the deceased deserved dying because of it."
ReplyDeleteThat's awfully harsh. Who is arguing that?
It appears to me that you're just misreading arguments stating the obvious. Jason lived a fast life until he ran out of gas.
Jason raised everyone's cost of living with his choices.
RIP Jason.
Call me a crazy condo-owner, but as a fan of street art, I really don't understand why people get so incensed about graffiti--explain how spray paint "destroys" property...it gets sandblasted off or painted over. He didn't blow up your garage or break windows or otherwise damage the structural integrity of your homes. Our property fence and building gets tagged every so often but you just get the paint roller out and go over it. Which, IMO, is better than cleaning off dog poop, or human poop that seems to show up on our sidewalk..but I digress. I actually like the graffiti-style ad on the side of the building by the Sheridan El stop and the mural on the side of the pet store at W. Sheridan and Broadway...so yes, I am an artist, and yes I enjoy taking pictures of graffiti in every city I go to. I don't really think it's all that awful.
ReplyDeleteBrad Pitt just forked out 6 figure chunk of change for a Banksy piece (Banksy is an NYC graffiti artist) so the street art scene is not going away, my puritan friends.
See the documentary "Style Wars" and you will see low-income kids starting out tagging and then move on to be successful "legit" artists.
And I think it's totally inhumane for anyone to dismiss this kid as a criminal "plain and simple" and to act so callously towards his death just because of the property he "damaged".. call the graffiti busters for crying out loud, we pay enough for them! I still don't understand how graffiti robs a community of it's dignity...Walk through the historic streets of Rome or Buenos Aires and you will see graffiti everywhere, mostly as a means of political expression.
We have many other problems in this ward to solve, so I am a little shocked at the outrage over spray paint. And, despite sounding like Shiller, this is not Naperville or Lake Forest, we have to deal with graffiti just by living where we do.
Graffiti is fine. Just use walls that property owners consent to providing. The property destruction costs us money. If it's gang art then it costs us a lot more than money.
ReplyDeleteGood for Pitt. He PAID for art. Private markets work. Foster these by striking down the law breakers.
From the looks of many of these posts many in our community believe that there are people who are better off dead. "Dawinism" or "Culling of the Herd" have been posted.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I said:
If anything, this may simply be a sad exercise in social Darwinism.
Broaden the scope on your snipe.
What was the point of that I ask you?
I don't agree with you that the post was a list of the man's shortcomings. I see it as background information on how Jason got himself into such a position.
And the point of that can be quite simple - prevention.
Heck, if anything, this tragic story may give a kid a second's pause to consider jumping into a body of water in the winter-time.
Or, maybe to help a kid understand that it's not advantageous to run from the cops.
Or maybe to teach a kid not to put her/himself into a position to have to run from the cops.
There are a lot of good things that can come from pulling the drapes back and letting the sunlight in.
I feel badly for his family; but, I'd wager his family would feel worse if his death went for naught.
Further:
call the graffiti busters for crying out loud, we pay enough for them! I still don't understand how graffiti robs a community of it's dignity
The dignity part is subjective.
What isn't subjective is that Graffiti Busters aren't free.
Money spent on removing graffiti could easily be used elsewhere on those who deserve it more.
What would you rather see? Graffiti Busters cleaning up after taggers or kids with hot meals?
this is not Naperville or Lake Forest, we have to deal with graffiti just by living where we do
No. We don't.
I question posting anonymous accusations with no substantiation or verification. This alleged five block rampage is, as far as my contacts can tell, exaggerated at best. The version of the guilty plea also doesn't fit what reports say.
ReplyDeleteEven if you despise them both, there's a big difference between graffitti taggers and gang taggers, sometimes to the point of violence. The self-anointed artists discourage glass etching.
Pretending it's all the same doesn't help. As a long time Updown Resident, I recall when the communit worked with taggers,the back wall of Graceland was a sanctioned space organized by William Upski and helped reduce vandalism. Then the city got more draconian, which did succeed in driving off the more artful and leaving the less reasonable and pure gang work.
Kitchekeg had lived in Mokena, IL for over a year and was tagging an abandoned building when he died. This residential self-righteousness is at best warmed over.
Plus those who references to Darwin and dismissals of him as a purely worthless criminal do show a cold pleasure in a human being's death for mere graffitti. There's an undertone of bloodlust a desire for people to die for misdemeanors. If nothing else, it's decidely unChristian attitude - Jesus didn't counsel giving mercy to the enraged property owners.
"Jesus didn't counsel giving mercy to the enraged property owners."
ReplyDeleteSpare us. Every dollar spent blasting graffiti is one dollar not spent feeding the hungry.
Hey, that's not MY take on "victims"... I'm just reporting the definition, which seems to apply to absolutely everybody at some point in their lives. *shrug* Pesky facts!
ReplyDeleteRe: the Golden Rule (more philosophically rooted than religiously, BTW)... if I owned a wall, I would be perfectly happy to have it collect art. This is where "do to others" breaks down. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Rule#Criticisms.
In NYC in the late 80's there appeared a concept of urban planning called "the broken window" theory.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixing_Broken_Windows
"Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.
Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars."
Graffiti is a huge part of that. Outside of the comfortable-shoe-crowd on here, the majority of adults think of graffiti as vandalism.
It is also associated in the majority of the public's mind as a sign of urban decay. It says "I don’t think enough of you to respect your property." Better still is the “I think I’m more important than you, the property owner, the tax payer, I live outside the law, I’m cooler than you, I’m hip and urban…and you’re not.” And lets not forget, it’s all about ego. I tag, then you tag, then it escalates from there. My tag gets seen from the el, your tag higher up on a tall building. Its selfish, juvenile and stupid behavior. And it’s ALL ABOUT YOU.
In NYC, then-mayor Mayor Rudy Giuliani forced the owners of these properties into court to fix the issues.
The effect on quality of life was significant. People were not afraid to leave their homes at night. They took pride in their community. Property values went up, merchants moved in and tax rolls increased. It was a win win situation.
As for the tagger...I really don’t feel sorry for what happened to him. You are a repeat offender, you got busted the day after you went to court (?!) and you decided to run from the police? And then, in your most Indiana Jones moment, you jumped into the freezing Chicago river…in March. Seriously? I’m just waiting for the toxicology report that tells us he was stoned. Dude, never ever turn your back and run from the Chicago Police!
Yes, I'd love to sit in a circle and hold hands and talk about "art" but that’s just poo. This kid, ok maybe not a kid at the tender age of...26? threw his own life away with both hands. He made the same bad choice over and over and over. And he kept getting away with it. He thumbed his nose and spit in the eye of the community with a “catch me if you can” attitude.
And I can picture him in my mind's eye right now. The whole hip-hop/grunge urban warrior, climbing up fire escapes and jumping from building to building so he could vandalize the property. Toss in some 'dreds and a skateboard and I think you get the picture. Before you flame me, you know I'm close, if not right.
For a stupid crime, he dies a stupid death. All the (stupid) choices were his to make.
Plus those who references to Darwin and dismissals of him as a purely worthless criminal do show a cold pleasure in a human being's death for mere graffitti.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Why not reread what I'd actually written before casting such aspersions:
I don't see anyone blaming his death on the fact that he's a graffiti artist.
And please note that Social Darwinism (a more modern/cavalier interpretation - not Spencer's, nor Sumner's) applies to people who die in car accidents via talking on their cells when driving, as well as anyone else who dies as a result of making an incredibly bad and wholly avoidable decision.
Tho - you do have a point on the substantiation and verification bit.
If you'd like to expand on that, as well as the version of the guilty verdict you'd mentioned, I'm sure there's interest.
As for Wimsatt .... meh.
I think we should leave Jesus and 'fine art' out of this....sadly, a criminal made some bad, bad choices.
ReplyDelete"I question posting anonymous accusations with no substantiation or verification. This alleged five block rampage is, as far as my contacts can tell, exaggerated at best. The version of the guilty plea also doesn't fit what reports say."
ReplyDeleteOh, Snark Sofa, you want facts? HERE are facts.
My home was one that got etched and painted by Jason that night. The police themselves are the ones who said that his spree extended from Montrose to Ainslie, and from what I saw in my part of that stretch of Sheridan, it was true.
I and my neighbors paid a total of thousands of dollars to repair the damage he caused. Then we paid hundreds more (graffiti-repelling sealant runs around $400 a gallon) to have our building sealed against further attacks. Then several of us, including myself, took three days off work over the course of his trial process to show up in court and press charges. If we hadn't shown up, charges would have been dismissed.
Then the court bent over backwards to give him a chance to be accountable, be a man, and pay us back for the money we laid out to repair the damages he caused. Never got a dime of it. I understand that he was not well off financially and didn't have $3500 to repay us, but a sincere apology for the damages and time we spent because of him would have been nice. We didn't get that, either.
This is just one building in a five-block stretch. Multiply that by the many buildings he damaged that evening and you'll see why we aren't nominating him for Man of the Year.
Those are the facts. My money went to pay for some of the damages he caused. I was in the courtroom those three times. Unless you were, too, I bitterly resent your implication that this is all lies and fiction made up by vicious homeowners.
For the record, I'm not the person who wrote the original post. Also for the record, my heart goes out to his wife and family for their loss. Being a survivor is rough, no matter who the loved one was.
well put gg
ReplyDeletegg,
ReplyDeleteyou have put up the facts because you were one of his victims, thank you. There are however, many taxpayers who are not only his victim but pay out of our pockets for property tax, sales tax and state tax for having the "graffiti busters" come clean up their messes. As I said before, you want to be an artist? Grab a paint brush and a canvas. You may just become the new "it" artist to collect. Some call it "art" I call it trash. The difference between "graffiti art" and "Gang art" is what?
It all costs taxpayers money in one form or another.
Raych,
"You refuse to sink to their level"? You show me where, in my comments, I said he deserved to die? I have said that he made a choice. I wonder how often you or a love one has been a victim of crime? I would than wonder if you would still have your "humanity" or would you begin to become callus?
I live my life in such a way that i try everyday to "practice random acts of kindness". Everyday, when I am out, I make sure that I compliment a complete stranger. I tell the bus driver thank you and to have a good day. I also tell the people in the elevator I'm in to do the same. My sons have been raised the same way. I contribute to society and nothing you say to me will make me feel bad for a person who made a choice that took his life. I have a great deal of "humanity". My city and neighborhood being over run by people who have no regard for the laws, human life, where they live, or losing their life because they made the wrong choice, while sad, does not make me question my "humanity". My son used to "tag". he'd spray paint daisies on buildings because he wanted to make people smile. I told him that if i saw a daisy that he spray painted on a building, I would give him a warning and than call the cops. If i visit him and see spray paint, I throw it away. Harsh? Maybe so but it's against the law, no matter who does it. Laws are not made for us to pick and choose which ones we want to follow. They are not made for certain people, races or cultures. they are made for everyone. Jason chose to disregard the law even after several arrests for the same offense. He ran, he jumped and he died rather than go to jail. Sad and stupid. Aren't we all so glad we have the first amendment that we can bitch, argue and debate?
Raych,
ReplyDeleteSorry I did not answer your last question. Writing an article about someone who has just died is our "freedom of speech" right. I don't think you should "shoot the messenger" They write articles everyday about people who have died. Heck, it was on the news. I see nothing wrong with that but than, that's just my opinion.
I agree with the first commenter that I fail to see the point of this post, especially in light of the predictable comments that followed--you know, he was a criminal, taggers are bad, no sympathy he's gone, yadda yadda. I'm not knocking anyone for having their feelings about taggers--hey, I don't want my stuff messed up either. And I understand, it's costly to remove, AND there's a dispute over whether it's art (which some people do view it as) or just a sign of urban blight.
ReplyDeleteSee I'm sure you've noticed by now April and Raych, that here in UU commenter world, a criminal is a criminal is a criminal, and these folks are pissed at em all. I hope though none of these folks have ever rolled through a stop sign or red light or not quite paid attention to traffic while talking or texting or putting on their mascara. Cause, that would make them criminals, and as we all know, a criminal is a criminal is a criminal.
Anyway, I too just thought the comments here were overwhelmingly sad, negative, angry and unnecessarily vicious over a dead guy no one knew--but hey, they knew all they needed to when they heard he was a criminal tagger.
But I do love how the commenters try to finesse it--we're not saying we're glad he's dead, we're just saying we don't really care he's dead because he's just a criminal tagger, you see, and after, a criminal is a criminal is a criminal.
I would like to recommend that anyone who is supporting graffiti "art" on this blog offer up their own personal car as a canvas for these artists to work on. Leave a sign if you can to alert the taggers to this free canvas and let them do their work. Then you, individually, can incur the cost of any clean up you may desire...and we non supporters of illegal graffiti art have nothing to complain about.
ReplyDeleteTime to get back on topic and stop the personal attacks. I just rejected a "why don't you move out of Uptown?" comment, and that's where I draw the line. Talk about tagging here and not the desired attitude adjustments of your neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to point out that only one person (out of 46 comments) is defending graffiti art, even though several have accused me of such (apparently totally ignoring the part where I said "tagging is shitty and criminal and causes people pain and time," as well as the "not saying death makes everyone into angels"). to clarify, I think we all agree that the money spent both making and cleaning up graffiti can be put to much better uses, and, obviously, it is a crime.
ReplyDeleteI'm not misreading--the implication (and sometimes explication) is certainly there among several posters that because he was a committing a crime and made a (very bad) decision that he deserved what happened. I don't think anyone's arguing that it wasn't a dumb decision, or that the victim deserves a tribute; I certainly wasn't. but a post like this, specifically to add insult to the injury of someone's passing? totally unnecessary.
so thanks to you who understand this.
especially gg--I think you understand more than most of us how difficult this is, and yet still in both of your comments you have noted your sympathy for his survivors.
kindest regards to you and all my fellow uptown folks, whether or not you disagree.
First,
ReplyDeleteCaring Neighbor I was going to suggest you move out of Uptown then I saw your last comment.
Second, whether some of you approve or not this story has an "Uptown" angle and it is legitimate for UU to post it.
Third, Uptown Writer your logic is flawed. I was going to suggest you move, but then you would not be "Uptown Writer".
I don't really want to get into an entire discussion regarding criminal law and "mens rea", but the deceased was fully aware of the criminality of his actions.
His Facebook page even lists "rustoleum" as one of his groups.
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal)
I'm not happy he is dead. My preferred outcome would have him being fished out of the river wet but unhurt. Then public mocking, criminal charges and a short stint in some State Park work camp. Followed by a realization that he was too old for this kind of stupidity and then a nice quite life with his wife.
Graffiti "artists/vandals" are not as dangerous as idiots who fire guns on Broadway, but they still damage society.
Just because we live in Uptown or anywhere else for that matter does not mean we need to accept low standards for behavior.
Very poor taste that these discussions are going on right now. It would be nice to see a little more consideration for the family mourning him. A life is a life, and what you are complaining about is bricks and mortar.
ReplyDeleteHave a some decorum - please.
Imagine for a second if this were your brother or nephew, the last thing you want to hear is people talking about all the bad things he has done, rather than focus on the good.
Save your energy for stopping tagging, if that is what pisses you off, but most of these comments are just crass - shame on you.
Michael, this guy's family is going through some terrible grieving. They are most affected by his death, not us.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, we have been affected by tagging in this neighborhood. That's really our gripe. But it really goes much deeper. In the Trib article, some were holding him up as someone who loved Chicago and they did more tagging in his memory. They threw salt on an open wound that many of us have personally suffered. So we're going to say something.
The family's grieving will be complicated by their son's behavior; not by our reaction to it. Our reaction is really quite normal, especially given that one locally elected leader has never said anything in 24 years to suggest it even bothers her. So, people without a voice are going to find UU as their place to voice their frustration.
Some are mourning the death of a loved one. We're not. We're mourning our lack of support to address crime in this neighborhood and people's low tolerance for destructive behavior.
I'm just curious. All this stuff about how anyone could be possibly critical of someone who'd dead, and shouldn't we be so sad for his family?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but where was his family when he was tagging someone elses' property? They knew where he was and exactly what he was doing. Further, so did the rest of his buddies. Nobody did anything to stop him, that we know of. Protestations for mercy fall on deaf ears...after the fact.
This wasn;t someone who died of a drug overdose, someone who was in rehab trying to turn thier life around and slipped. This wasn;t someone forced to sell her body to put food in her kids mouths. This wasn;t someone who shot somone in self defense. Those are all terrible things, but none of them are of thier own making
Are they?
So when i see someone who does the same thing, over and over, for his own selfish pleasure, his ego, and his own personal gratification, even after having been hauled in front of a judge... Not to mention the fact that he never even had the slighest intent of paying off the debts to the people he was ordered by the court to repay, and died, by his own hand, in the same act that got him busted the first time?
This almost falls into the catagory of a habitual drunk driver. Ignoring the rules of society, the court and the community. Warned more than once, and making the choice to ignore them. But even that is a weak gesture, because the drunk driver might be an alcoholic, where the tagger is just... stupid.
I've been censored! LOL So much for Kris' comment about first amendment rights, haha.
ReplyDeleteGranted, Caring Neighbor, you probably saved me from saying some unnecessarily mean things but I don't know why it's off limits to say "if you don't like it here, then move somewhere you will enjoy living." I say this because I myself am moving out of Uptown. There are some things I loved about living here but in the end it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Now, I realize it's not that easy for everyone to uproot and leave so I will give you that.
It just gets old coming on this blog and seeing all the negativity and anger day in and day out. Rightous anger? Sometimes, sure. But day after day it doesn't make you feel good or proud about being an Uptowner. And this post... it just really struck a cord. Uptown Writer said it so much better than I could.
So farewell, Uptown. Not even Vince Vaughn could make me stay ;)
Soooo...did this guy do tagging or graffiti? The Tribune article and the posts here use the terms as though they are the same. They are NOT the same things. One is vandalism; the other is art.
ReplyDeletewhere was his family when he was tagging someone elses' property
ReplyDeleteSee? That's the thing on this particular point.
We don't know.
Nor do we need to know.
Nor does it matter, either way, really.
While it's true that at least a few of his friends were aware of what he was up to, it's pure speculation to think that his family was aware; or, did nothing to straighten him out.
I think we've all got a few folks within our on immediate families who have done things without our knowledge - or, more significantly, without our approval.
While I may be called out for whatever level of sympathy I demonstrate, or fail to demonstrate, towards this man's situation - there's no denying that his family is taking a significant emotional hit and certainly deserves a very wide berth with regards to the benefit of the doubt.
I'm sorry for this man's family and their senseless loss. It must be difficult to understand why someone you love would do something so foolish (repeatedly) and accidentally kill himself trying to get away with it. Is 'tagging' really so cool that its worth your LIFE? Apparently for this man it was. I feel sorry for him that he had so little self worth that he would invest so much of his time on defacing buildings for fun and ego. Tagging is the "adult" version of "Mommy, put my picture on the fridge!"
ReplyDeleteI understand the reactions posted here. We are all weary of the blatant lack of personal responsibility shown these days, and the fact that criminals (regardless of the seriousness of their crimes) are coddled while the victims of their crimes are victimized twice - first by their perpetrator, and second by our "justice" system.
Its very frustrating to read about a man who rapes and murders an innocent teen after being released from prison for doing the same thing to others because someone felt it was reasonable to assume he would never do it again.
Its very frustrating to see gang members and drug dealers back on your street corner only months after they were picked up the last time for their multiple offenses, and watch them go right back to business as usual.
And I'm sure it was frustrating for people like gg to watch someone get a slap on the wrist for defacing property and causing thousands of dollars worth of damage waltz out of court without even an apology, and hear how he went right back to business as usual.
I think the majority of us are beyond done dealing with these issues on a daily basis, and having to hear sob stories about the criminals upbringing and how they didn't have a choice but to do what they did, they don't know any better, blah, blah blah. That's what this story was, a sob story meant to make people feel sorry for this man. All it needed was an 8th grade graduation photo and a relative saying "He was a good boy! He was turning his life around!" and it would fit the template perfectly.
If the excuses of being poor, growing up in a bad neighborhood or in a broken home were valid excuses for committing crimes, then we ALL should be criminals because I don't know of a single person in my life who has not had to face a difficult, sometimes horrifying experience in their life, and yet they don't choose to go out and commit crimes.
It comes down to choice. This man chose his course in life, and that choice cost him his life. Regardless of our life experience we all have the choice to do the right thing, or the wrong thing. I do not feel sorry for those who choose to do the wrong thing and end up having to pay for that choice. I do feel sorry for those who feel the ramifications of that choice, and to his family I extend my condolences.
Save your sympathy for the store owners that have to pay for his work. I would like to know where he is buried so I can etch something offensive on his stone. His mom can look at it just like my wife has to look at his work on our front door when she comes home each night.
ReplyDeleteOne is vandalism; the other is art.
ReplyDeleteBe that as it may, within the boundaries of the city of Chicago, both are considered illegal if the owner of the "canvas" does not provide consent.
Vandalism - art - fine lines, I guess. If a policeman had jumped in to save him and the policeman died, wouldn't this guy be looking at felony murder charges now?
ReplyDelete"One is vandalism; the other is art."
ReplyDeleteI think I could truly appreciate the graffiti art in a gallery setting. Same for the smashing bucket bands you hear downtown. Put the bucket players in Allstate Arena and you'd really have a great sound.
However, I don't want walls of graffiti spewn across my neighborhood. Nor would I want some kid smashing his buckets making his music under my window. For some the bucket bands are great street music. For others it’s noise.
We’ve all had the experience of rappers getting on the train and singing their raps. Some are very good, but many are very annoying. I’d rather have my solitude on my ride home than listen to their songs. If I want to listen to rap music, I’ll buy a CD or download some.
I’m very sad for the death of this artist. However, here’s a person that could have been honestly pursuing his craft. Like many hardworking artists they work hard, suffer rejection, persevere; and in many cases are never recognized by the public for the talent they have. However, they still practice their art and even if they do not become famous do find satisfaction in their craft
Sadly to say, but many of these graffiti artists are narcissistic exhibitionists whose sense of entitlement and ego-centered needs override others peoples rights not to have their property damaged or have their neighborhoods littered.
And while there is a difference between your typical gang graffiti and the “art” inspired graffiti, you can’t stand around a judge one better than the other, because each spawn more of the same.
Banksy is an NYC graffiti artist)
ReplyDeleteI thought Banksy was British?
Also...
Just to state my take on graffiti art (as if anyone asked), I don't mind it, in fact some of it is fantastic. But I'm not going consider it "art" if it's done one someone else's property without their permission. If you want to get permission, fine, but if I worked my ass off to buy a home and someone comes by puts his "art" on my place, I'm going to let you admire it for as long as it takes me to paint over it. You don't get to claim someone personal property as you canvas. You just don't. What's the difference between painting graffiti art on the side of someone's building or all over their Prius? It's all property and if one upsets you, then the other should too.
FYI: the Edgewater Community Buzz has a followup on the late artist.
ReplyDeleteGraffiti tribute
Important note: the tribute was done with the owner's permission.