A homeowner dealing with ongoing vandalism issues in Vandergrift has an ally committed to combating negative art images in the borough with positivity.
Deanna Whaley said it’s not the first time she has dealt with vandalism on her property, along the 200 block of Franklin Avenue, and she’s tired of it.
Recent graffiti to the back side of her home last week included offensive images and language.
“I spray painted over the one that had really foul language, and it had a picture that was bad — the rest is still there,” Whaley said.
Whaley said she had filed a police report for past graffiti damage, but didn’t with the most recent attack.
“It happens so often I didn’t file a report,” she said.
Other neighbors living along the street voiced their concerns Wednesday about the ongoing vandalism. Vandergrift police Chief Joe Caporali said he heard about the recent graffiti via social media.
Police said no suspects have been identified.
“I don’t want to be the crabby old lady that lives in the corner house. I would just like them to learn some manners,” Whaley said. “There’s more than one group (of teens) that are doing this.
“Please don’t draw on my house. This is my home.”
Caporali said other areas in Vandergrift have been vandalized with graffiti, including the alley behind Ninth Avenue.
“This is not the first time this particular structure was tagged,” Caporali said. “We’re asking if anyone has information concerning these activities to please contact the Vandergrift Police.”
Vandergrift resident and business owner Chloe Kruse’s building was vandalized with graffiti in 2020.
“I honestly think most of the vandals are children,” said Kruse, who commissioned local artist Alex Chaffins to paint a large mural on the back side of her business, The Center on Franklin, to deter vandals from painting on it.
“I’m glad they stopped tagging mine. I really think the mural stopped them,” Kruse said.
Resident artist steps up
Chaffins, a Vandergrift resident, specializes in murals.
He planned to paint a flower-themed mural over the graffiti on the Whaley’s home Thursday.
“I’m extremely grateful for his colorful makeovers to the graffiti in this town,” Whaley said. “It makes me smile.”
For Chaffins, 34, his mural mission is a positive replacement for graffiti that he described as “ugly and cluttered.”
“I feel like art is my weapon to fight negativity,” Chaffins said. “I’m hoping some bright-colored flowers brings a little more life to this alley.”
Ironically, Chaffins said he once got in major trouble as a teenager for defacing the same home he painted his new mural onto Thursday.
“I did graffiti. I got fined, had charges and had to repaint and cover everything. When I see the kids doing this, I remember being that kid,” Chaffins said.
If given the opportunity, Chaffins said, he’d love to show them the proper way to go about artistic expression on buildings.
“Instead of committing a crime, they can turn it into a business, with the right guidance,” he said.
Chaffins designed a lily-themed flower mural in honor of the Whaleys’ dog, whose name is Lily.
The design depicts multiple oversized flowers in purple, orange, green, pink and blue.
Chaffins noted that many graffiti artists respect murals.
“These kids respect art, so when you put large scale artwork up, they’re gonna respect it,” Chaffins said.
Chaffins donated hours of his time Thursday along with $400 in paint supplies.
Chaffins has completed numerous murals around Vandergrift and is a dedicated participant in the annual Art Fest held each summer in the borough.
