Wynwood business vandalized after Art Basel

MIAMI (WSVN) -- South Florida wrapped up one of the biggest art events in the world, but one display was nothing to celebrate.

It has happened again. Art Basel came to an end and vandals put up graffiti on the walls of businesses around town. Three blocks of businesses in the Wynwood area were vandalized. "We don't like it," said Barry Burke of Austin Burke Clothing in Wynwood. "We're trying to run a business here and make it comfortable for customers to come down and spend their money, and this creates a bad vibe."

The area of vandalism stretches from the 2400 block to the 2700 block of Northwest Sixth Avenue, including Austin Burke Men's Store. "It's everywhere," said Burke. "I got to work this morning, and it looked like a war zone happened over here overnight."

Some of the store owners allow artists to put up murals, but you need the proper permits and permission. These business owners said what happened Sunday night or early Monday morning was a free-for-all. "When you see this on the wall," said Kenneth Sager, "this isn't art. This is just trash."

Business owners are furious because they have to pay for the fresh coat of paint to cover up the graffiti. "We're here to do business," said Sager, "and I think that this has to be stopped. The graffiti, not the murals, the graffiti."

The same thing happened at the end of Art Basel last year.

Even with all the paint that was applied to cover the graffiti, you can still see the damage that was left to the business' walls. Miami Police said, if the business owner does not allow you to paint on their walls, and you don't have a permit, it's considered a crime.

If you have any information on the vandals, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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