WALLED COMMUNITY: Some trace the start of the North Shore graffiti boom to 1995 and the establishment of The Beverly Wall. Originally intended to placate writers with a legitimate space to work, it attracted people from as far as Europe, putting Beverly and nearby Salem on the graffiti map. |
The beginning of the end
Sad as it might be to anyone who does appreciate a vibrant urban landscape, to which a certain kind of graffiti can contribute, all signs point to the downfall of a once-thriving graffiti scene in Eastern Massachusetts. According to police, as well as several writers, this destiny can be largely attributed to more than just the recent legal onslaught. Other factors include the careless behavior of “toys,” or inexperienced wannabes who get busted and snitch on more established taggers, and on hard drugs, which are a major problem in the graf community. “In the least, they’re smoking weed,” says Kelley. “I would guess that half the kids who I catch in the act have weed on them.” Adds King: “It’s not just weed — as [O’Loughlin] says, graffiti is a gateway crime. The criminal records on these vandals have everything from armed robbery to heroin possession.”
One seasoned tagger who is currently floating in and out of trouble confirms that substance abuse is a pressing issue. “I won’t say that I haven’t done it myself,” he says. “But people get careless when they get wasted and go bombing out of compulsion. I won’t name any names, but a few people who got caught around here in the past few months were definitely drinking before they went out.” Another writer, who deserted Greater Boston when the scene warmed up in 2000 but returned recently, says the current climate is enough to keep him off the street. “I didn’t think it was possible,” he says, “but it’s hotter than ever out there.”
CAYPE, who is about two months into his stint at South Bay House of Correction for violating probation, is expected to cop a plea for his open case in Salem. UTAH could see far worse consequences. In addition to her upcoming Boston trial, she faces up to seven years in a New York facility, and is the subject of investigations in France, Canada, Spain, and Germany. Her local attorney, William Keefe (he also represents SPEK), would not comment on her case specifically, but acknowledged that offenders facing multiple charges are more likely to receive jail time.
As for SPEK: it’s an understatement to say that King and Kelley are enthralled to see him behind bars. “Our message is that, if you want to be the big guy, go ahead and knock yourself out and earn your way up,” says Kelley. “But we’re going to get you — and we’re not talking probation anymore. We’re not talking about picking up trash in the park.”
“As for the ones who have made it difficult for us for years — it will catch up with them,” says King. “If they have status, that’s great, but that now makes you the person who did tens of thousands of dollars in damage and pissed off a lot of community groups and the police. So when they do get caught, they’re going to be held responsible. It’s a reality now in Massachusetts — they’re going to jail.”
