Black Lives Matter mural painted on Kansas City street earlier this month is damaged
One of the six Black Lives Matter murals painted across Kansas City streets earlier this month has been damaged.
On Monday, black tire marks and white paint could be seen streaking across the words “Black Lives Matter” at the intersection of Northwest Briarcliff Parkway and North Mulberry Drive. The mural, painted in large, colorful block letters, is the work of local artists and community members.
Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, said police are unsure of the intent of the damage at this time.
He spoke with a property crimes investigator who determined the police department will not be investigating. The city wasn’t able to establish a value for the mural’s paint ahead its creation, he added.
Becchina said if a value had been established and the city wanted to claim property damage, the damage to the mural wouldn’t qualify because the city ordinance specifically makes reference to damage from “spray paint.” In this case, Becchina said, the white paint “looks like paint slung from a bucket.”
But, Becchina later said, if a value of the paint is determined and a police report is filed, the department could begin to investigate the incident.
“If an investigation is launched we would work with the prosecutors to determine what if any potential criminal charges could apply,” he said in an email Monday evening.
Harold Smith, one of the artists who headed the city-wide project, said the murals were the result of thousands of dollars of donations and hundreds of hours of work. The damaged mural was the only one installed north of the river.
“By vandalizing one of these murals ... a message has been sent that, to some, black lives do not matter and some people are willing to resort to illegal, inhumane, and outright cruel means to send that message,” Smith said in a written statement Monday.
“It sends a message that the same hateful spirit that has led to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin and others still persists and is present in our society...even right here in Kansas City.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 5:50 PM.
