Graffiti Writers Claim Vandal Squad Author Used Stolen Photos

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.
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Vandals Face Off Against Vandal Squad

In a last ditch attempt to help promote their not so quick selling Vandal Squad book, indie publisher powerHouse Books has devised a PR/marketing strategy to help raise some awareness: a panel discussion on graffiti! It will include washed up police officers like “Joe Blow” Rivera, the book’s author, alongside media whoring former paint chaser Steven Mona facing off against notorious vandals and Peter Vallone Jr. political targets COPE2 and KET—we’re actually digging his justification for attending. Chalk writing street artist Ellis G. will also be on hand to offer some perspective.

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