Taking the “broken windows” law enforcement theory to absurd extremes, New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, of Queens, has voiced his desire to ban a toy called Kidffiti. The kit sold at Toys R Us includes stenciling tools. Sprayable chalk that imitates spray paint is sold separately. “Graffiti is just the first act of vandalism. It oftentimes leads to drug abuse and drug sales,” Goldfeder said.
Goldfeder has written a letter to Toys R Us asking them to take the toy off shelves. “What this product is doing is marketing directly to minors in a way in which it is glorifying vandalism instead of artistic value,” Goldfeder told the Daily News. “It is important to address graffiti before it escalates.” A spokeswoman from Consumer Affair commented that her agency isn’t able to ban toys that aren’t illegal.
Goldfeder isn’t alone in his graffiti-inspired panic. Police Commissioner Bill Bratton recently condemned a graffiti art show happening at the Museum of the City of New York which he called “outrageous,” and similarly warned could influence children to engage in illegal activities. (Image: Toys R Us)
