Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Man Confronts Subway Vandal To Teach Her Definition Of "Vandalism"
By
Miranda Katz
Published Nov 11, 2015
Modified Nov 11, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Miranda Katz
Published Nov 11, 2015
Modified Nov 11, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Anyone with grand plans to attain immortality by scratching their name into a subway door window should be advised: carving glass with a knife is, indeed, vandalism, as one very uninformed vandal learned last night:
The video shows a blonde woman in a green sweatshirt digging deep into the window of a subway car—it's hard to make out what exactly she's scratching into the class, but a close examination of the video frames suggest it might be "RICK," or "RACK," or perhaps an especially calligraphic "DICK." We reached out to the guy who uploaded the video, but he wasn't sure, either. When he informs her that what she's doing is vandalism, she appears deeply, genuinely confused:
VIDEOGRAPHER: You know that's vandalism, right?
VANDAL: I thought I was just scratching. Isn't vandalism only paint? [...] I thought it was only paint. Like, spray-paint.
VIDEOGRAPHER: So you're scratching shit on windows here and you think it's not vandalism?
VANDAL: I don't know what to say. I thought it was just paint.
It's unclear what she thought she was doing. Trying out performance art? Practicing her Snapchat doodling game? Making a grocery list? As far as subway confrontations go, though, this one was pretty tame. But it does seem to have been sufficiently shaming: the uploader said that she immediately stopped scratching, and got off at the next stop.
"I think it's possible she thought I was a cop or something," he told Gothamist.
In case there's any confusion, "scratchitti," as this form of window-etching is called, is indeed vandalism—and it's of the more frustrating variety, costing the MTA more than $3 million each year. According to the MTA, it can land you a $100 fine and a court summons, even if it's not "just paint."
Tagged
education
learning
subway
vandalism
Miranda Katz
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .