- The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 29, 2015

The sidewalks of ’Frisco are not up for grabs, or graffiti.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera is demanding the full cooperation of Def Jam Records, the recording company behind singer Justin Bieber for some very public messages made on behalf of the performer. Mr. Herrera is intent on finding and punishing the guerrilla graffiti artists who are spray painting stealth marketing phrases promoting Mr. Bieber’s new album across public sidewalks. He has sent a stern letter to record company officials, advising them that the “commercially sponsored graffiti” is vandalism.

“This prohibited marketing practice illegally exploits our city’s walkable neighborhoods and robust tourism; intentionally creates visual distractions that pose risks to pedestrians on busy rights of way; and irresponsibly tells our youth that likeminded lawlessness and contempt for public property are condoned and encouraged by its beneficiaries — including Mr. Bieber and the record labels that produce and promote him,” Mr. Herrera wrote.

“Our sidewalks in San Francisco are not canvasses for corporate advertising, and we have made that clear. Yet these guerrilla marketers believe they are above the law when it comes to blighting our city and we will take a strong stand against them,” agreed San Francisco Public Works director Mohammed Nuru.

“The definition of graffiti is tagging someone else’s property without permission, and they certainly did not have our permission to do this to our sidewalks,” he added.

And for the curious: Mr. Bieber’s new album is titled “Purpose.”

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

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