Crime Drops but 'Scratchiti' on the Rise

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

New York City Transit says there's been a slight rise in subway graffiti, despite a steep drop in other crimes. The agency is preparing a report on the problem and it plans to replace train windows to prevent what's called scratch-iti.

REPORTER: But Andrew Albert, of the MTA's permanent Citizens Advisory Commitee, says scratchiti is made with Armor Etch, a product that's illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase.

ALBERT: It has acid qualities and when you mix it with any number of markers like shoe polish or something you can etch into glass with it, and that's what's happening on so many lines. And it's happening on route it's not even happening in the yards.

REPORTER: Albert says the product can be bought too easily despite local laws and needs better enforcement, otherwise buying new subway windows will be a waste of money.

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