Vallone Proposes Licenses For Etching Acid Possession
BY JOHN TOSCANO

"Etching acid is a dangerous substance, and it should be kept out of the hands of those who may abuse it."

While he maintains that graffiti in any form is unlawful, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. reserves his greatest displeasure for any vandalism done with etching acid because the acid is dangerous, destroys property and is extremely costly for city government.

Vallone recently introduced his most recent anti-graffiti gambit, a law to require a license to possess etching acid and a measure meant to restrict the use of this volatile substance by graffiti vandals.

At a Consumer Affairs Committee hearing on the bill, Vallone warned: "You mess with acid in this town and you're going to get burned, if not by the chemical, then by the law.

Vallone's new bill requires anyone interested in purchasing or possessing etching acid first to apply for a license from the Consumer Affairs Commissioner, which has stringent provisions. Any applicant would have to be older than 21 and must not have been convicted of a graffiti offense to qualify for the license.

"This proposed law continues our fight against the vandals that deface our neighborhoods," Vallone (D- Astoria) stated. "Etching acid is a dangerous substance, and it should be kept out of the hands of those who may abuse it."

Emphasizing the especially destructive qualities of this acid, Vallone pointed out, "Paint and markers deface property, but acid downright destroys it. That's why we need to take it very seriously. With this law, we can not only keep our communities safe and clean, but can save millions in taxpayers' dollars by making it harder to commit this crime."

Vallone explained that unlike other forms of graffiti, some of which can be painted over or cleaned up, etching acid burns into materials and causes damage that cannot be fixed. This vandalism, he said, has grown increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially on subway car windows, costing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority $11 million annually to replace them.

In 2006, Vallone said, the MTA initiated a plan to spend $25 million to install Mylar-coated windowpanes that are resistant to acid corrosion.

Supporting Vallone on this point, Councilmember Leroy Comrie (D- Jamaica) stated, "Etching and vandalism in New York City is prevalent on our mass transit system and costs the MTA millions annually to repair. Obviously, this is a cost that the riding public has to bear in the end, and so it is in our best interest to vigorously enforce anti-graffiti regulations."

Vallone also noted that etching can also be extremely dangerous and harmful to subway passengers. He explained that vandals often make their marks right on the subway cars during busy commuter hours and if someone comes in contact with freshly applied acid, they could suffer burns and other skin irritations.

Vallone said that Bloomberg mayoral administration representatives said at the September 24 hearing that they want to work in collaboration with the City Council to address any concerns about the bill. As the legislative process moves forward, he said, the bill may change to incorporate amendments that may restrict the possession of acid to certain professions, such as masonry or dry cleaning.

Vallone said he believes, "We must somehow control the manner in which this substance is distributed."