Yeah, it sucks that the trains were vandalized, no argument there. And some of the perennially negative members of our little dysfunctional online family can now gloat and say "I told you so". But beyond all that, look carefully. There is some artistic skill there. So, do we go with Randazzo's reaction and bring the force of the law down upon the parents of these young artists?
Or do we think outside the box, and try to find a way to redirect the artistic impulses into something creative?
Just as one quick suggestion -
Perhaps these young vandals/artists could be organised into groups, and given a venue to develop an artistic plan to paint the cars in an organised manner, using a consistent artistic theme. There are an abundance of tech tools available, (I'm doing a CPE extra credit section right now, associated with my TEFL cert, about uses of technology in the classroom, so this is on my mind), Edmodo is one example. Perhaps multiple groups could be created, and a review board of adult artists to approve/guide the development of these artistic themes. Then when the themes were ready, the cars could be painted flat white, and the young artists turned loose to implement their artistic themes. The basic idea, as shown in the work in Chicano Park, which we discussed in the earlier thread on graffiti, is that graffiti artists respect each other's work, at least to a certain extent.
So let them paint the trains, just guide them and require them to develop a consistent theme, and appoint established local artists to oversee the program.
(Yes, I know this idea will draw howling ridicule from the usual naysayers, but that's fine).
After all, this is the next generation we are talking about here. This is the generation that will run the world when we have grown old. We cannot simply write them off as delinquents, for they are the future. And they are also the generation that will have to pay for these damn trains, so why shouldn't they be allowed to paint them?