Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Hamilton Beach) with community leaders and the 106th Precinct Auxiliary Unit called on Toys“R”Us and other retailers to clear their shelves of “KIDFFITI” graffiti stencils, a product that encourages children to graffiti and glorifies potential vandalism.

“This product is using marketing ploys to encourage unsuspecting children to deface their communities,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “We should be educating our children to keep our community clean, not providing them the tools to potentially deface it. I strongly urge Toys“R”Us and any retailer selling this harmful item to remove it immediately from their shelves.”

Currently, “KIDFFITI” graffiti stencils are sold in major toy stores, including Toys“R”Us and small retail stores throughout the City. The stencils include designs such as chains and skulls for children 6-years-old and older to copy.
“It’s discouraging to see graffiti in our neighborhood and it’s especially disheartening to see it reappear on a wall that was recently cleaned,” said Roger Gendron, president of the Hamilton Beach Civic. “I want to thank Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder for his advocacy and work to help deter children from polluting the walls of our community with graffiti.”

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder sent a letter to the Toys “R” Us CEO, Antonio Urcelay, requesting their product, “KIDFFITI” graffiti stencils, be cleared from their shelves permanently. We must make every effort to encourage our children to keep the neighborhood clean instead of providing them the tools to deface, he added. Additionally, Goldfeder reached out to the Department of Consumer Affairs encouraging them to use every possible mechanism to pressure retailers to keep our city safe and clean. The agency responded immediately and committed to work with Goldfeder and any relevant retailers to discuss the effects of the sale of graffiti stencils and possible solutions to address stencil availability.

“Graffiti vandalism is a gateway crime that not only affects the quality of life, but could lead to more serious offenses,” concluded Goldfeder. “We must take a proactive approach to educate our kids and beautify our neighborhoods.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)