102-year-old wheelchair-bound man forced by petty council to remove graffiti from home or face fine

The 102-year-old Californian man, Victor Silva, was ordered to continually paint over graffiti on his fence to avoid facing over $1,000 in council fines. Alongside his 70-year-old son, Silva painted over the graffiti, criticizing the council’s expectations as “absurd.” His family found it frustrating that despite their efforts, the graffiti would reappear quickly. Silva’s son manages the family’s commercial building, which has been broken into multiple times in the past year, with instances where he encountered burglars on the property.

Silva’s family expressed their frustration with the rising crime rates in Oakland, California, where they reside. They mentioned that the current system is failing to address the crimes effectively if they have to continuously deal with graffiti and break-ins. Despite his age, Silva remains resilient, saying that living is still easy as long as one “keeps breathing and behaves themselves.” The city inspector has been made aware of the graffiti issue at Silva’s property and has mentioned that he will consider canceling the citation for the family.

The rise in crime in Oakland has been concerning, with robberies increasing by 34% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Oakland Police Department issued a public safety advisory urging residents to stay vigilant amidst the surge in crime rates. Motor vehicle theft saw a significant rise, with a 44% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. Burglaries also spiked by 23%, indicating a growing concern for residents’ safety within the city. The council has acknowledged the need for improvements in addressing crimes to ensure the safety of all residents.

Despite the efforts of Silva and his family to combat graffiti and burglaries, the challenges persist as crime rates continue to increase in Oakland. Victor Silva Jr., alongside his father, faces ongoing struggles with vandalism and break-ins, highlighting the need for stronger measures to address the city’s crime issues effectively. The public safety advisory from the Oakland Police Department serves as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to ensure their safety amidst the escalating crime rates in the city.

The story of Victor Silva and his family sheds light on the challenges faced by residents in Oakland amid rising crime rates and inadequate support from local authorities. The resilience and determination shown by Silva at the age of 102, as he continues to fight against vandalism and maintain his property, reflect the unwavering spirit of individuals in the face of adversity. The city’s acknowledgment of the need for improvements in addressing crimes serves as a call to action for authorities to implement more effective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Oakland.