Sirens and Graffiti
Istanbul, Turkey - June 2024
Europe is quite different from the US in many, many ways. Two that stand out to me having been in 7 countries in the last 6 months is there are almost no emergency sirens and there is graffiti literally everywhere. Why is that I wonder?
Sirens going off all times of the day and night are typical in the United States, and not just in big cities. Whether it's police, fire or ambulance sirens, they barge into on our daily (and nightly) lives with their loud incessant screams. We learn to live with it for the greater good. But why do I not hear them in Europe? Well, for one, European cities have far less crime; fewer shootings, robberies, domestic battles. Sure, there is pickpocketing at some of the main tourist areas, but cops don't come sirens blaring for that kind of thing. I'm talking about real crime. For some reason there are fewer fires as well. Which is surprising given that a lot of the wiring is ancient or makeshift. As for ambulances, the only reasons I can come up with are 1) fewer shootings and 2) healthier lifestyles. It's a welcome change that I wish were true in America.
As for the graffiti - ugh, I hate it. I understand that some believe it is an art form, and the style in and of itself perhaps is. But putting that "art" on other's property without permission is just vandalism. Graffiti artists in Europe don't discriminate where they put their art. It can be found on public and private, old and new, sacred and historic buildings and monuments. It's everywhere - everywhere - and it's an eyesore. It actually angers me every time I see it. To see large printed letters and words in bold colors on century's old buildings is criminal. It is so prevalent that it appears the property owners have given up painting over it and just let it be. You don't see this a lot in the US outside of bigger cities. And even then it's mostly on offramps and bridges, etc. If graffiti defaced some important landmarks in the US it would be immediately painted or washed. I wish that Europeans were less tolerant on this one issue. If they were to enforce strict laws (I'm talking jail time and really high fines) and make examples of a few people perhaps they could get it under control. And I really wish they would. Not just because it spoils my photos, but because it sullies some really beautiful buildings and art for everyone. And for you graffiti artists out there, get a commissioned project or at the very least, permission from the owner. That's just common decency.