"Anti-graffiti crackdown"

A recent CBC article states that London, Ontario, has passed a bylaw "banning the sale of markers and spray paint to anyone under the age of 18."

The article cites the following statistics:

"Police records show that in the last two years in the city, 25 of 42 people arrested for making graffiti were under 18.

As well, 126 people were seen but not caught. And, of them, 92 were minors."

I wonder what the statistics are concerning the number of minors who buy spray paint or markers and use them for something other than graffiti.

In any case, I think the bylaw discriminates against minors; it violates their rights based on stereotypes and unconvincing statistics. It isn't right to penalize people for crimes they may or may not commit in the future.

It is an entirely different matter for the city to "provide outlets for minors to express themselves creatively and artistically." Such measures are positive and constructive, and they don't assume guilt on the minors' part.