Baisley homes marred

Baisley homes marred

The last thing James Scarangella expected to find outside his home on a beautiful fall morning was vandalism to his property.

On Tuesday, October 13, Scarangella, while taking his usual walk with his dad, was shocked to find recently sprayed graffiti covering his white fence, and as he continued along Basiley Avenue, he noticed that another house at 1225 Hollywood Avenue, the First Lutheran Church and a NYC Traffic Control box on Bruckner Boulevard had also been defaced.

“I’ve been here since 1993 and this block has always been a vandalism hot spot,” said Scarangella, “but this is the first time I’ve seen graffiti on private homes. This degrades the entire neighborhood.”

According to Scarangella, his real concern is what comes next.

“I’m concerned that the problem has increased. What’s after graffiti, breaking and entering? It’s a continuous fight and residents constantly have to remain vigilant,” said Scarangella. “I have four kids and I’m concerned. The big thing I associate with graffiti is drugs.”

Scarangella immediately called 911, tand reached out to Community Board 10 and Councilman Jimmy Vacca for assistance in the matter. He also removed the graffiti from his own property that morning.

According to Kean Kearns, district manager of CB10, the information was sent to the 45th Precinct, and was relayed to the graffiti crimes officer.

“The vandals have become more and more brazen. When we have people’s homes being attacked, we need to see law enforcement make an arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” said Vacca. “I’m sorry to say that this also shows how residents must become increasingly vigilant against these characters, who have no respect for public or private property.”