SHUTESBURY — As a way to address incidents of graffiti in Shutesbury last summer, Police Chief Kristin Burgess launched a community policing initiative for teenagers to participate in a graffiti art workshop with local artists.

But getting participants proved to be a challenge after resident Jeff Lacy raised objections to the police sponsoring what he termed “an illicit activity.”

Even with these concerns, the Selectboard gave its blessing, by a 2-0 vote at its Dec. 20 meeting, for Burgess to continue putting together similar classes in the coming months.

Burgess told the Selectboard that she saw the Dec. 3 class, involving Shutesbury artists Bobby Brown and Joan Green, who run Greenbrownart, as a way to curb illegal graffiti acts by directing those who might want to deface public and private property toward an appropriate way of expressing themselves.

“I saw that as an opportunity to engage our youth,” Burgess said, adding that the youngsters participating could not only gain appreciation for art, but put their efforts toward a practice that would serve some purpose. In addition, Burgess saw the class as a great conduit for police to get to know youths and possibly change the direction they might be heading, with the class concluding with works displayed in an art show.

In an email to the community in late November, Burgess wrote that the class at Town Hall would include learning and experimenting with graffiti techniques and water-based spray paint mediums, as well as lessons on the history of graffiti and well-known artists’ depictions of modern-day art.

“We are so lucky to have Bobby and Joan volunteer their time and expertise to teach and expand the youth of our community in this dynamic class,” Burgess wrote.

Burgess said in a phone interview Tuesday that the summertime incidents of graffiti prompted an investigation that found youths were responsible. Burgess met with the youths and their families and saw an opportunity to launch a productive program for all youths in town.

The backlash from Lacy, a member of the Planning Board, came in an email response that went to Burgess, the Selectboard and Town Administrator Rebecca Torres.

Lacy wrote that he had conversations with Burgess that made no headway before sending an email advising her against having town police sponsor the project.

“Graffiti, as defined and practiced, involves defacement of public and private property, and is illegal,” Lacy wrote. “Training our kids in its techniques is not what I want my tax dollars going toward.”

Burgess contends that Lacy’s concerns may have diminished the success and turnout for the art class. While Burgess said 10 to 12 calls and emails came from families in advance expressing interest in having their children participate, only two teens came to Town Hall on Dec. 3.

Some may have believed that because graffiti is illegal, so would a class on the topic. However, Burgess said that is not accurate.

“I would never ask the youth to participate in a project that is illegal,” she said.

The class, Burgess argued, was a chance to make a difference in the lives of youths, and for them to get to know the town’s police officers.

With residents participating in the Dec. 20 virtual meeting expressing support for the graffiti art workshops, Selectboard members Melissa Makepeace-O’Neil and Eric Stocker both voted in favor of the initiative. Chair Rita Farrell was absent.

With this approval, Burgess said the hope is to continue partnering with the Shutesbury artists on similar classes geared toward Shutesbury students in grades six through eight. The Police Department will buy the tools and spray paint, with the effort meeting her department’s goal to close the multi-generational gap.

“We want to do other projects,” Burgess said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.

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