Gang Banging Graffiti

When Law Enforcement agencies cite the problems with graffiti, the list vandalism and the gangs.

Most of the time, M&F likes to keep the focus on the art aspect of getting up.  We celebrate the interaction of art with the streets, and not needless and useless destruction of property and senseless vandalism.  And M&F does not post any gang graffiti on the blog.

Still, many places a person will drive in LA, there seems to be much more gang oriented graffiti than there is from graffiti writers getting up.  Last week, Los Angeles got a reminder that there can be a frightening violent element which goes along with gan graffiti.

Two people got shot by another gang member when confronting a graffiti writer in the act.  Both of the victims died.  And this shooting happend on Beverly Blvd, near Alvarado, which is only 15 minutes away from Hollywood, and a place many people drive by frequently.

When getting up out there, remember to keep it art focused, and be careful of the very real and very violent gang elements that can be out there.

Read the full story below.  Be careful.  And, Stay Up!

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Two men who emerged from their church in
Filipinotown to try to stop a suspected gang member from plastering graffiti on
one of its walls were fatally shot, authorities said today.
The shooting occurred outside a church at Beverly Boulevard and Reno
Street at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, when a gunman who was with the graffiti vandal
fired on the two men, said Officer Ismael Chaparro of the Los Angeles Police
Department's Rampart Station.
One man died at the scene, police said. The other died at a hospital
early this morning, Coroner's Lt. Joe Bale said.
Chaparro said the assailants are suspected gang members. No descriptions
were immediately available.

***Thanks to LOUDLABS for the story***

Cool Shot Cop

We like this shot, and all the little action.

There is a tiny sticker of what appears to be a British Cop at the bottom, and Enine sticker up top.