Here is the new law ...

28.08. GRAFFITI.  (a) A person commits an offense if,
without the effective consent of the owner, the person
intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions,
slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the
owner with:
(1)  aerosol paint;                                                               
(2)  an indelible marker;       
(3)  an etching or engraving device. 
(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), an offense under
this section is:
(1)  a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of pecuniary
loss is less than $500;
(2)  a Class A misdemeanor if the amount of pecuniary
loss is $500 or more but less than $1,500;
(3)  a state jail felony if the amount of pecuniary loss
is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000;
(4)  a felony of the third degree if the amount of
pecuniary loss is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(5)  a felony of the second degree if the amount of
pecuniary loss is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000;  or
(6)  a felony of the first degree if the amount of
pecuniary loss is $200,000 or more.
(c)  When more than one item of tangible property, belonging
to one or more owners, is marked in violation of this section
pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, the conduct may be considered as one offense, and the amounts of pecuniary loss to property resulting from the marking of the property may be
aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.
(d)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony if:
(1)  the marking is made on a school, an institution of
higher education, a place of worship or human burial, a public
monument, or a community center that provides medical, social, or
educational programs;  and
(2)  the amount of the pecuniary loss to real property
or to tangible personal property is less than $20,000.
(e)  In this section:   
(1)  "Aerosol paint" means an aerosolized paint
product.
(2)  "Etching or engraving device" means a device that
makes a delineation or impression on tangible property, regardless
of the manufacturer's intended use for that device.
(3)  "Indelible marker" means a device that makes a
mark with a paint or ink product that is specifically formulated to
be more difficult to erase, wash out, or remove than ordinary paint
or ink products.
(4)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 481.134, Health and Safety Code.
(5)  "School" means a private or public elementary or
secondary school.    

zackay wrote: If the vehicle is parked at your house then YES homeowners insurance should cover it which would be only 1 deductible for both situations. However, as I also said most of these have a good chance of being cleaned up with a little elbow grease and don't ever have to get reported to insurance anyway. You sure about that? Go check. Also, the simple fact remains, there is a substantial out of pocket expense that you or the homeowner incurs. Why should the little punks only pay half? And Why should you or I clean it. Why not them, it was their elbows that did the damage. I don't understand your point about each kid paying $500. Are you saying it's too much and they won't be able to get it or are you saying it's not enough? Not sure what point you were trying to make there. I said that if there is $2,000 out of pocket expense from the homeowner and the punks only pay half that is $1,000. Now if you divide that by 2 (assuming there were 2 punks in attenedance the night in question) that means that each punk only pays $500. Just using your 1/2 price sale idea. Why is my expressing my opinion on this such a problem? OK, so some of you disagree. That's your right but you know, people DO have different thoughts about things and THAT'S OK. Who knows, maybe they will hit my house before they're done. It's certainly a possibility. I've already had 2 stereos stolen out of my vehicles since I've been here (the first time 3 weeks after I moved in) so I've been hit by some mischief myself. If they had caught who did it, I would have wanted the kids (assuming it was kids) to pay me back for new stereos not the parents. No problem with your opinion. Just seems to me that your idea of letting the little punks off with 1/2 the cost is a little ridiculous. Whatever, the homeowner that was graffittied SHOULD NOT PAY A DIME. The full amount is up to the punks. If their parents won't/can't pay, who cares. The punks should do it. If the parents want to work out a 1/2 price deal with their kid, then so be it.

I made a mistake on the last post.  It's not gray bar, it's called Clay Bar.  It won't damage your clear coat, and it's a lot cheaper than having the car repainted.  Here's a link to the product at Autozone: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProd uctDetails.jsp?counter=2&categoryDisplayName=Wash+and+Wa x&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=189455_0_0_&p roductId=189455&sortType=&parentId=1818-10&filte rByKeyWord=clay+bar&categoryNValue=101818&navValue=1 00197&fromWhere=&itemId=197-10&displayName=Pre+C leaner&store=1578&skuDisplayName=16+oz.+showtime+ins tant+spray+detailer%2C+80+g.+clay+bar+and+4+oz.+liquid+clean er+wax+paint+saving+system&brandName=Mothers

I realize that some parents have their ways... grounding - time outs, etc... I have mine... which consists of my hand or a paddle but the end result is a case of "Red Ass!" and a memory to last a lifetime! So I guess since my almost 19 year old son hasn't EVER cost me a court date, bond money for jail, screaming parents with destroyed property... guess the warning worked! Don't get me wrong... most things my kids do result in grounding or the removal of certain priveledges.... but something like this - that kinda thing just isn't enough!

Too expensive.  Plant mint and rosemary outside their window and sniff their shoes in the morning...

designerlady wrote: Too expensive.  Plant mint and rosemary outside their window and sniff their shoes in the morning...

A great big GIANT !

My honey is a smart man....

Oh, and lavender works as well.

joseguia wrote: TheHatGuy wrote: This thread is getting ridiculous. point out a thread that hasn't

yes, when people feel the need to drag out the crayons, paste and safety scissors in the attempt to make their posts more interesting, you have once again reached the point of worthless reading.

happens all the time, but at least the colors show you were to stop reading.

I am so sorry this happened to you.  I can honestly say I know how angry you feel.  This has got to stop.  I am so sick of the juvenile criminal activity here in The Colony.  I hope these individuals are caught by either the police or the residents.   And if the residents catch them.  TEACH THEM A GOOD LESSON! 

I'm sure our fine men and women in blue have a good idea what is going on with this, they have a fine group who deal with this kind of thing all the time, surpriseingly  that this goes on in TC.

This is our last class with the academy and we have learned quite a bit in the past 2 months and I'm really proud of being a member of such a caring community.

At the risk of some angst, my opinion, (and you  know what they say about those,,hehe,) is that if the children are minors then the parents should be finanacially responsible for the damage and for the inconvenience and distress this has caused all the victims, how they  get it back from their little hellions isnt my business, but the hellions need to do some sort of community service such as clean up this type of mess that other hellions make, let them be on call until they serve a certain amount of community service in that area.

And I'm not sure but it seems to me that a homeowners policy or a car insurance policy will cover damages of this sort but from the perps side, not the victim, anyone have any  ideas on that?

"Seems like the city should put just as much effort into preventing this in the first place."

And just what would you have them do to prevent this?

Those stinky punks hit Five Star!

Disenchanted wrote: TheHatGuy wrote: "Seems like the city should put just as much effort into preventing this in the first place." And just what would you have them do to prevent this? I was waiting for someone to blame the city. I just forgot to say wait for it...

Does anyone remember watching The Naked Gun movie with the Anti-Graffiti Wall?