[Lunatic Fringe]

I disagree. If someone steels the wheels off your car in the dead of night, do you have the right to leave it next to the curb on blocks for weeks on end?

The property owners may be victims of vandalism, but they still need to do something. Incidentally, I wonder if the city of Houston will be held to this same standard when it comes to graffiti on buses and city buildings.

[Madeleine Ward]

Apples and oranges.

No, you do not have the right to leave your car ON A PUBLIC STREET for weeks on end.

Graffit on YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY is just that. It's your private property.

Find a different analogy.

[sgtbono2002]

I dont think you know what happens when they steal the wheels off your car.

When this happens if you dont get the car towed right away they come back for the seats, the doors, the hood and trunk. Most people get them towed right away to avoid this, If the car isnt worth the effort to have towed away the owner removes the tags and the police ticket the car. The police then call a tow truck who removes the hulk and usually gets paid nothing for the tow. He is stuck with the hulk.

My concern is that if the police fine you $500 dollars for leaving graffitti up , What do they fine you for getting roobed by a gunman. Fining the victim isnt cool.

[zeugma]

Incidentally, I wonder if the city of Houston will be held to this same standard when it comes to graffiti on buses and city buildings.

LOL. Yeah, right. There is no "revenue enhancement opportunities" in that. This is nothing but a way of generating revenue, something the city of Houston is pretty good at.  

[thinkthenpost]

Not on the curb in the street on the city easement, but if the car is in my driveway, absofreakinlutley.

I too wonder if Houston meets these requirements on city owned property and equipment.

[BunnySlippers]

I'm with you, LF.

Graffiti left on the walls endlessly drives the spiral downward in the neighborhood. When neighborhoods are allowed to rot ... they draw crime.

Weird but true.

[WFTR]

If someone steels the wheels off your car in the dead of night, do you have the right to leave it next to the curb on blocks for weeks on end?

Yes, if someone can't afford to buy new wheels for weeks on end, then he shouldn't be penalized for having been the victim of crime. I'm sorry if it offends your sensibilities to see a car on blocks for several weeks. I wouldn't like seeing it either, but I'd rather see the car on blocks than further victimize someone who couldn't afford new wheels and tires. If it bothers you that much, maybe you should help the guy out by either loaning him the money for the new wheels and tires or renting him a storage unit for a while. Having the government fine him or steal the rest of his car isn't the solution to the problem. Putting the results of the theft out of view may help some people to ignore the ugly reality of rising crime, but letting some people ignore that reality isn't a solution either.

Bill