NY's 'vandal cancer' seems to be spreading to NJ

Recently, I was invited to attend a daytime baseball game at the New York Mets' Shea Stadium with one of my sons and grandson. A beautiful sunny day, and I was in fine company.

We rode the bus from a local bus terminal to the Port Authority building in NYC. From there we boarded the No. 7 subway train for the remainder of the trip. I hadn't made this journey in many years, but most of the ride was outside on elevated tracks.

From the start, I have to tell you, I was totally shocked at what was outside those train windows, in between each local stop. I assume we all grew up using the "vandalism" term to describe any person intentionally doing damage to someone else's property, in any way, shape or form. Today, and for many years now, somewhere along the way, someone has taken it upon themselves to dignify this crime of vandalism as "graffiti artistry."

I have often heard what a zoo New York City has become, but now I can tell you, without hesitation, that the No. 7 train ride proved to me beyond any doubt that this ride was right through the heart of that zoo. The acts of vandalism were painted on just about every private home, apartment building, factory and everything in between, including the roofs and their television dishes. There was nothing spared by these so-called, "graffiti artists." Disgraceful is not adjective enough to really describe the effect.

If you ever, ever want to see this social cancer spreading beyond your wildest nightmare, take the No. 7 train to Shea. Passengers were actually taking photos of it, in all its pastel-colored shame.

Sadly, now in our New Jersey suburbs and elsewhere, this vandal cancer is spreading also. Cemeteries, business buildings, underpasses, overpasses, even the concrete highway dividers and more, I'm sure have fallen victim. The authorities here are catching up to some of these vandals from our area, but one can only hope the arrests will deter anymore of this vandal cancer from being spread.

Just something I wanted to get off my chest, and share. Oh, the Mets beat the Phillies too.
Robert E. Verney Sr.
Old Bridge