While it’s true that no real sparks flew at last night’s Vandals vs. Vandal Squad discussion at the powerHouse arena, there were some interesting revelations about author Joe “Blow” Rivera’s mostly irrelevant book on graffiti. For one, several writers, including panelist KET, claimed that some of the photos published in “Vandal Squad: Inside the New York City Transit Police Department, 1984-2004″ were either stolen or obtained improperly and definitely in violation of copyright! Rivera denied the charge, insisting they were his or “donated” from various sources.
It was interesting to note how inarticulate Rivera was in person. He stuck to talking points, read prepared commentary right off his notes, and appeared uncomfortable answering any questions that strayed from his script. There was also rumors swirling around that he didn’t even really write the book and that powerHouse PR flack Sara Rosen was ultimately responsible for heavily editing it.
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Graffiti Writers Claim Vandal Squad Author Used Stolen Photos
By Bucky Turco |
3 Responses to “Graffiti Writers Claim Vandal Squad Author Used Stolen Photos”
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its pretty obvious that he did not have any photos, 'donated' my ass.
wheres the layup pictures, the hatch pictures, the yard pictures, the evidence pictures,
why no pictures of clean train hits by cope, ket, ja,ghost, sent,cavs,ces, ovie, reas, desa, and many more
wheres the great unfinished or caught in the act or chased away graffiti train photos.
whers the grainy flash in the tunnel photos?
while his stories are BORING, they do not show any real police work, except catching kiddie toys on the street, and bum rushing houses and getting mommies permission by intimidation and taking advantage of legal ignorance to search and find contraband and graffiti evidence. the whole method of operation would come to a standstill if you say
you need a search warrant to enter, i do not consent tot a search, i will not answer questions without a lawyer present….SIMPLE, exercize your rights
steve mona deviated from the script i give him credit.
joe actually read from a scripted response to most questions,
sad to see a broken man, those involuntary tics and spasms and stuttering,
he has some medical issues he not sharing with us, hopefully he will rest one day knowing that he kept the city safe from graffiti, but he not fooling anybody
his book has alot of outside photos and outsider looking in photos collected in daytime spots walking tours…
i hope he sleeps well at night knowing that he is a joke to nyc writers and all the scripted answers wont change that, his sham book will face literary criticism for years, the truth will come out one day and his fragile ego will be shattered.
and by the way cope is not a snitch, never was, hes been busted with me and cops never came to my door, he never thought i was a snitch cuz he got caught, funny to see how the cops started using that technique to create discontent and admissions of guilt among taggers. classic police ploy and you suckers fell for it.
"the old fess up now we have plenty of evidence already" tactic…
Live by the sword…Die by the sword.
Once again -Graffiti Karma
Writers are such whiners – you never stole nothing, right??? Just like gallery owners who stage big graff shows and then get mad that someone bombed their place and bullshit store owners who cry when they get robbed by the criminals whose image/lifestyle they have been profitting off. Shame you sell the life to children and think it is all good. You are all so street til some new jack scratches his name into the hood of your car. Aren't we all?
In response to all the allegations of stolen photo's, lets consider the source of these allegations. Indivduals who simply have nothing better to do then send in garbage remarks. These photo's belonged to the author, Yes thats right (Joe Blow) or they were donated by generous individuals. Unlike the individuals who waste their time placing senseless scrawls on innocent victims property without remorse. These individuals can engage in trash talking which frankly comes right out of their ass's. To all you angry vandals don't hate the player, hate the game. You all create the need for us, we don't need you, we can lock up any other jackass for something other then senseless markings. The city is full of jackass's like yourself's. HaHa. Thanks for the overtime!!!! See you later Sucka's….