Three teenagers were arrested last week after allegedly riding their scooters at a Pride crosswalk in Spokane, Washington, leaving skid marks on a mural.
Ruslan VV Turko, 19, and two unnamed minors were each charged with first-degree felony malicious mischief. The criminal case pits two so-called left-leaning values against each other: a desire to promote acceptance and the belief that people should not be arrested and imprisoned for victimless crimes.
Let’s break it down one by one first.
Is there any evidence that these teens were intolerant, or is this a misunderstanding (especially considering the mural is on a road where people really should be driving)? One teenager reportedly reacted by saying “fuck you, faggot” when confronted by a bystander. This looks very enlightening.
On the second side, however, the question is “Is this a victimless crime?” It’s almost hard to take seriously, because of course it is. Could this possibly hurt feelings? certainly. But no matter how disgusting a teenager’s behavior is, we shouldn’t be prosecuting them for hurting feelings.
I think the natural reaction is that they don’t get sued for upsetting other people; they get sued just for upsetting other people. They were charged with criminal mischief related to the vandalism. This is real. But in reality, the teens were not only ticketed, but arrested and placed in state custody — in jumpsuits and all — in what was essentially a low-brow prank. Will this make the people of Spokane feel safer? Is this a good use of taxpayers’ money?
City leaders generally think so. In May, after the same mural was vandalized again, City Councilman Zack Zappone, a Democrat, said at a press conference explain He’s trying to set up a hate crime hotline. City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, who is running nonpartisan but considers herself a progressive Democrat, announced she is working with Spokane police to increase surveillance in the area. “I know it’s called vandalism,” she said, “but that’s hate.”
Such incidents are likely fueled by hatred. But we don’t go to jail for holding bigoted views. At least in the case of the Spokane teenagers, one wonders how their potential incarceration (first-degree criminal mischief is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison) will help improve public safety.
Vandalism is of course wrong. The same goes for calling anyone a slanderer. These things should go without saying. But if Spokane officials want to change the minds of prejudiced people, there is no more counterproductive and illiberal method than locking them up.
