Description

All of Oakland is full of graffiti and trash. Every street, every corner, even in the hills there is trash. The new graffiti ordinance is not being enforced; police do not arrest vandals, and the DA fails to prosecute those who do get arrested. Graffiti and illegal dumping is getting worse. Businesses are being extorted by so called artists offering to do a mural for money. Extortion is a big problem here but the City Council does nothing except give these same vandals money in the form of grants to create murals. Much of this money is used to vandalize businesses that fail to accept the "artists" mural offer. Instead of the city taking steps to stop the problem, they fall prey to the extortionists by giving them funding for art projects. Much of this money is used to purchase items to promote graffiti. Additionally, the city penalizes the property owners who are being repeatedly victimized by making the property owners pay to eradicate it. This is insane city management.