Girl, boy allegedly tagged 192 times in Whittier area
Whittier police say they have arrested a boy and girl who allegedly defaced more than 192 signs, curbs, walls and sidewalks with their graffiti tags.
Investigators arrested a 15-year-old girl from an unincorporated area near Whittier on Feb 3. Investigators say that the girl is responsible for more than 126 tags, and allege that she admitted to most of them during an interview after her arrest.
Authorities estimate that she caused more than $28,000 in damage in Whittier as well as tagging in nearby Pico Rivera and La Habra.
The 13-year-old boy was arrested Feb. 2 and admitted to most of the more than 66 acts of vandalism they believe he committed, according to investigators.
The boy, who said he is not part of a tagging crew, told investigators he quit tagging as soon as he found out the Whittier Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team was pursuing him.
According to investigators, prosecutors are still considering what charges should be filed against the youths.
--Richard Winton
Their parents should have to pay for all the clean up and they should be charged
with numerous counts of vandalism.
Posted by: Kelly | February 16, 2009 at 06:13 PM
They are such a disgrace! They have no respect for themselves, or for anybody else! Our society would be so much better without these types!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | February 16, 2009 at 06:51 PM
These are Mayor Villa's gang boys are here's a news flash, they're not just in ELA anymore, they are coming to a town near you soon!!!
We need to rid Southern Cal of all gangs, they are quickly taking away our quality of life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say let's march on LA City Hall April 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | February 16, 2009 at 07:00 PM
the penalty?
Simple.
execute them or deport the SOB's to mexico.
nuff said,
Johnny Wilson
Posted by: johnny wilson | February 16, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Make the parents pay!!! If they can't speak English, tell them in Spanish.
Posted by: Jim W | February 16, 2009 at 07:14 PM
They should hold the parents financially responsible for the property damages.
Posted by: Chris V. | February 16, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Good grief.
Did the L.A. Times lay off all its copy editors and proofreaders, or did you hire Richard Winton off the nearest street corner?
I realize that with internet news expediency is key, but at what cost?
Below I've corrected the errors...Perhaps Richard should take a look:
...and allege that she admitted TO most of them during an interview after her arrest.
Authorities estimate that she caused more THAN $28,000 in damage in Whittier as well as tagging in nearby Pico Rivera and La Habra.
The 13-year-old boy was arrested Feb. 2 and admitted to most of the more THAN 66 acts of vandalism they believe he committed, according to investigators.
Posted by: Tim Donovan | February 16, 2009 at 08:04 PM
These hoodlums should be forced to repay the damage that they caused. I do not care if it takes 20 years. Their parents should also be held responsible and their wages garnished until the damage has been repaid. It is time that we get serious about crimes like this. Why should tax payers have to pay for this? Also, these kids should be locked in jail for 2 years. If they act like menaces to society, let's treat them like menaces. Our legal system has become way too lax with juvenile delinquents. If nothing is done, these kids will be robbing banks and gang banging in a few years.
Posted by: Oscar | February 16, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Jail them for 6 months, and then make them remove twice as many tags as they did themselves. Then work one day a week removing tags until they are 21 years old. Send A Message !!!
PS - they deserve at least this.
Dick Raddatz
Posted by: dick radatz | February 16, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Sounds like 2 young people who desperately need some supervision and parenting. Why do so many parents nowadays seem to be oblivious to their children's activities. First of all, there is the issue of no respect for other people's property. Then, what about monitoring where their children go and who they are with? How do these children afford the "materials" for tagging and other things? Can these children be made to repaint and repair the areas thay have defaced? Very sad.
Posted by: R Clark | February 16, 2009 at 09:02 PM
How about making their parents pay for the cost of removal of graffiti. Or better yet, make those parasite kids either work off the cost or clean up the darn mess themselves.
Posted by: SeanJean | February 16, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Part of the punishment is making these losers clean up their mess..... With toothbrushes!
Posted by: Valerie | February 16, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Tim: Thanks for the help. We've fixed the errors.
Posted by: Martin Beck | February 17, 2009 at 07:44 AM
They are both still young enough that they can be saved. It all depends on the punishment, by both the city and their parents. If the city comes down too hard on them and locks them in juve, then they'll be criminals for life. Same thing if the parents don't discipline them now. They could become career criminals. They need punishment, and a chance for rehabilitation.
Posted by: Ruby Jackson | February 17, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Boy, that Johnny Wilson's mentality concerns me more than the issue discussed. Beware of those hateful extremists who feel entitled to condemn and prescribe the death penalty so liberally... they're scary individuals. Ticking time bombs waiting to go off!! Enough said.
Posted by: Love and Peace | February 17, 2009 at 01:12 PM
the penalty?
Simple.
execute them or deport the SOB's to mexico.
nuff said,
Johnny Wilson
most ignorant thing someone could say how about u get deported somewhere with that racist mentalitty it makes people sound so ignorant when they say things like that the obvious answer would have to be have them do there jail time pay the fine thats about it i mean to be realistic rapists and pedophiles get charged with a slap on the wrist compared to graffiti artists .
Posted by: Anonymous | February 19, 2009 at 02:10 PM
you guys act like they were out selling drugs or killing people...you are all stupid...hooray for taggers
Posted by: george bush | February 20, 2009 at 05:35 PM