Vandals Target MOCA During Graffiti Art Exhibit

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police say there's been an increase of graffiti and vandalism around a Los Angeles museum that has opened an exhibit on the work of taggers and street artists.

The exhibit titled "Art in the Streets" opened Sunday at the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art and police say the hall area has been targeted by taggers.

The exhibit has also come under criticism by some in law enforcement who deal with taggers.

County sheriff's Sgt. Augie Pando tells the Los Angeles Times that the show glorifies graffiti.

Fans, however, say the exhibit is welcome recognition of what makes urban areas special.

Museum officials say they are cleaning up graffiti as soon as possible and surveillance cameras have been installed in the area.

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