GRAFFITI - Who needs it? Matawan has become part of the inner city when it comes to graffiti or tagging. We have seen it all over Matawan. It is a disgrace. Entering Gravelly Brook Park, on residents fences, on traffic signs, vacant buildings, on the handball court in the Jackson St Park. We live in Matawan to get away from the issues of the inner cities, now the issues are moving here. As residents we can become pro-active. We are not saying you should confront these people. We are saying you should call the Police, take a digital photo of them if you can and present it to the Police. Report to the Matawan Police Dept., any time you see tagging (gang members do this to mark their territory) or graffiti being done.
Let's all help keep Matawan beautiful, clean and green!
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9 comments:
I'm not a fan of graffiti, but, um, no, we don't all live in Matawan to "get away from the issues of the inner city." (That sentence may say more about you than it does "us"). As far as the visual appearance of our town goes, graffiti isn't as ugly as all the banks and drug stores that pop up everywhere, then go out of business.
Mim Song, Are you for real? What banks and drug stores? The two former drug stores on Main St. are currently occupied. One is very attractive salon and spa.
Don't understand what you are trying to convey. Some of business owners on Main St work diligently to improve their property.
Thanks for your comments.
I am originally from Jersey City and yes, I did move to Matawan to get away from an inner city so I could raise my child in a safe environment free from violence, gangs and graffiti. It's an eyesore and affects property values. I agree with the Matawan Advocate that it should be stopped immediately. I'd also like the loitering by the day laborers by the train station to be addressed but that is another story. I think that is much worse than an empty store front.
The problem with the day laborers is that they gather on private property, i.e. 7-11 and Quik Chek. Believe the Mayor and Council are working on a solution to this problem at long last.
The only way to impact the business owners of these stores is not to frequent them. They will not discourage day laborers from gathering as they are customers. You know the old saying....money talks blah blah blah! Matawan is a nice place to live and raise children. It is becoming increasingly financially difficult to maintain our diversified population.
Mim Song makes out like it's a bad thing to move here from the inner city. Diversity is what makes Matawan such a wonderful community.
Thanks for your input.
I wont frequent the 7-11 or the Quick Check and I've even called them to let them know why. Quick Check insisted that they don't allow the day laborers to hang out there and they do call the police but obviously, that cannot be true because if that were true, they wouldn't be hanging out there anymore. My daughter attends the high school and I don't like her walking home because she'd have to walk right through that area. It's ridiculous that they are allowed to loiter there, even if it's private property. Everyone that comes to this country needs to come here legally and when someone works, they need to pay taxes. It's amazing that the day laborers get away without paying taxes. The IRS wouldn't tolerate a US citizen working and not paying taxes yet there are people here illegally that don't pay taxes, get free healthcare and social services and use the educational system that the taxpayers finance and we're OK with that?? I really hope whatever the mayor and the town council have a plan that will work. To be honest, I have avoided most business in that area lately, just to avoid the large quantities of day laborers, which is a shame because there are a lot of nice shops and restaurants on Main Street that we should be able to support without feeling threatened. As a woman, I just don't feel safe.
Start with the business owners who are hiring the day laborers. They are the ones who should be held accountable. If they all stopped picking up the day laborers the day laborers would have no reason to show up. These landscapers, roofers, tree removal companies, etc... are breaking the law. Start hitting them with hefty fines for using undocumented workers!
We have recently noticed increased "police presence" in the parking lot at the 7-11 on Main St. It appears to be a deterent. We appreciate the effort by Matawan PD. 7-11 is private property, it is in the owners control to prohibit day laborers from gathering in their parking lot. We think if 7-11 wishes to encourage the mustering in the parking lot because of increased revenue to their business, they should provide toilet facilities for the day laborers, storage facilities for their bikes and personal items left by the lake until their return at the end of the day.
If you want our business, clean up your act! Until that time, we will not patronize that store.
you guys are so stupid you will never stop us..
To the last poster, Anon, we don't want to stop creativity, but if you consider yourselves to be artist, then display your work appropriately, not on a homeowner's fence!
This comment replies to the graffiti, if you are referring to the day laborers that is another matter. BTW, this was posted in May 2009, your comment is dated September 28, 2009.
Thanks for your comments, inappropirate as they are....
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