NY Police Group Roasted Online After Calling Graffiti “A True Sign of Decay”
Photo Credit: Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The backlash started after a video of a graffitied train car went viral.
On Monday night, the New York City Police Benevolent Association tweeted a video of a graffiti-covered subway car. “The 70s and 80s, now in living color on a subway platform near you,” the caption read. The organization continued, calling the graffiti a “true sign of decay, one that we worked so hard to eradicate decades ago.”
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The 70s & 80s, now in living color on a subway platform near you. A true sign of decay, one that we worked so hard to eradicate decades ago. The taggers had plenty of time to cover this entire train, because they know there are no more consequences. #backtothefuture pic.twitter.com/7uWmg8YdzU
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) January 21, 2020
New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike swarmed the account’s mentions, citing the millions of dollars spent on (often unnecessarily-armed) subway security. Others commended the taggers for their artistry, saying cars covered in corporate advertisements were the true sign of decay. At least one person tagged a few of the city’s notable museums, in hopes that one would intervene to keep the train in service. Questlove commented, calling the train “The Most Beautiful Thing Ever.”
The official MTA Subway account even made light of the tweet, commenting on a gif used in the tweet’s replies.
Elena and Ken were the best characters. ^KB
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 21, 2020
The PBA blamed the city’s transport authority, saying the taggers “had plenty of time to cover the train because they know there are no more consequences.” According to Spectrum News, the MTA says instances of graffiti are significantly lower now than in the past, and that the PBA’s tweet is a reflection of tensions between the union and city hall. The
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Despite the backlash, Spectrum News reports the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has taken the car out of service.
SOURCE: Spectrum News
