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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Judging A Shitty Book By Its Shitty Cover

Here’s the cover to that powerHouse book that glorifies former NYPD Vandal Squad cop “Joe Blow” Rivera and stabs the graffiti community in the back. It’s now available on Amazon. Here’s a snippet from the book’s website description:

“The only book on graffiti told from the perspective of law enforcement, Vandal Squad takes us inside the New York Police Department. Rivera’s fast-paced tales of cat and mouse are presented alongside professional disregard within the Department. Featuring never-before-seen photographs and stories of graffiti’s infamous Top 40, Vandal Squad offers an unprecedented look at the graffiti world from the other side of the game.” S

adly, even a ‘know thy enemy’ approach can’t rationalize giving this graffiti-jocking ex-cop any money. |WhatYouWrite|

PowerHouse Stabs Graffiti Community In the Back With New Book

Photo: One of the NYPD’s anti-graffiti Eagle Team | DelMundo for NYDN
In a move that is sure to instigate a reign of hate, powerHouse Book stooge Sara Rosen decided it would be a good idea to do an entire book dedicated to the the NYPD’s Vandal Squad, specifically Joseph “Joe Blow” Rivera. He represents the newest crop of subpar, mostly tattooed, fuck-up cops who—like their shitty offices in Coney Island—are at the end of their line. There’s a reason why Lt. Steve Mona has always been “Lieutenant Mona,” these guys don’t get promotions. The book, creatively titled “Vandal Squad” is slated for release later this year in December, but no need to worry about pre-ordering or any of that, it’s almost a matter of fact that it will be featured in their glorified book catalog aka powerHouse Magazine. Like former paint chasers before him, Joe Blow will now get a chance to get fame and money off the backs of graffiti writers—as did powerHouse. Check out their collection of pro-vandal books after the jump. |RazorApple|

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