Restrooms closed due to excessive vandalism

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

This hilarious sign hangs on the entrance to the restrooms at a Phillips 66 gas station on Cerrillos Road, just west of Saint Francis Drive, in Santa Fe. Graffiti is a big problem in Santa Fe. I remember, back when I lived there, being amazed at how much of it there was in such a small town. Santa Fe is about the size of Muncie, Indiana. My hometown, Fort Wayne, is five times the size of Santa Fe, yet has far less graffiti!

Since the sign mentions "Excessive" graffiti as the reason for locking the restrooms, I wonder if that means there is an "acceptable" amount? Perhaps two graffiti tags is ok, but the third just crosses the line? Maybe I'm just overthinking this...?

This is from my trip to New Mexico last month.

[The Standard Deviant]

When I come across a handpainted sign like this I always stop and have a closer look, there was so much skill involved in the lettering of even a simple sign.

There are still a few out there, fading until they eventually get replaced by digital cut-vinyl signs and the like, from fonts used the world over.

[Pablito]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

Since the sign mentions "Excessive" graffiti as the reason for locking the restrooms, I wonder if that means there is an "acceptable" amount? Perhaps two graffiti tags is ok, but the third just crosses the line? Maybe I'm just overthinking this...?

Or maybe it's about quality vs. quantity?

[Jack Conrad]

When I come across a handpainted sign like this I always stop and have a closer look, there was so much skill involved in the lettering of even a simple sign.

Hey, you don't suppose the sign maker is the one responsible for all the graffiti that makes the sign necessary, do you?

[kbg32]

Sign says nothing specific about graffitti, but "vandalism". While they could fall into the same category, there is a difference.

[gb hill]

Originally Posted by kbg32

Sign says nothing specific about graffitti, but "vandalism". While they could fall into the same category, there is a difference.

This was my thought! Thinking of a more destructive force like throwing paper towels down the toilet & breaking mirrors. BTW do they go behind each occupant & inspect the bathroom?

[Rob-F]

In St. Louis, there are a couple of restaurants, eg. O'Connell's, and Blueberry Hill, that feature intellectual graffiti. I remember one I saw in O'Connell's some years ago:

"God is dead."
---Neitche

'Neitche is dead."
---God.

Blueberry Hill has tiled walls that no one tries to write on. But they provide small pieces of painted Gypsum board in strategic places in the men's room, intended for graffiti. Some of it is not bad!

Why don't we start photographing the better examples and posting them here?

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by kbg32

Sign says nothing specific about graffitti, but "vandalism". While they could fall into the same category, there is a difference.

SAnta Fe has a serious graffiti problem. Broken windows and other forms of vandalism are very rare, plus the girl working there told me it was people painting and drawing stuff on the walls inside.

[robklurfield]

This is what can happen when the vandalism to restrooms exceeds the recommended norms...

Chris, glad that your Phillips station figured out how to put an end to their vandalism problem before they suffered a fate like this.

[bwcolor]

Perfect lighting.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by photomoof

118769 in Muncie
143,937 in Sante Fe
251,247 in Fort Wayne

Good to keep these facts straight in case one of us is on Jeopardy!

I don't know where you got those numbers, but they're WAY off. Santa Fe and Muncie each have about 65,000 people. That's all. Your numbers might be accurate for Santa Fe County and Delaware County (where Muncie is), but not the cities.

Ok, here is a document from the city of Santa Fe. It says the city has 67,947 people (2010 census data) and the county has 144,170. Keep in mind that Santa e county covers an enormous geographic area that is larger than the 6 counties of northeast Indiana combined yet still has half the population of Allen County (Ft. Wayne's county, which has about 300,000 people).

The city of Muncie's website says they have 67,430 people (virtually identical to Santa Fe, just like I said) and Delaware County has 118,769. Keep in mind that Delaware County includes several other towns and the rural areas are pretty densely populated there too.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by robklurfield

This is what can happen when the vandalism to restrooms exceeds the recommended norms...

Chris, glad that your Phillips station figured out how to put an end to their vandalism problem before they suffered a fate like this.

Hahaha! Perfect.

[andredossantos]

I love hand painted signage. Awesome shot. Love the colors and overall tonality.

[robert blu]

hmmm, so you need a license to p..s ?
robert

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by robert blu

hmmm, so you need a license to p..s ?
robert

They're asking for your car's license plate number so if you vandalize the building, they can call the police and the police can find out who you are and where you live.

[raid]

Someone steals used toilet seats?
Hm.