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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pavement chalk - AIBU?

197 replies

HubbabubbaT · 08/04/2020 12:45

I saw a lovely thing online about a sensory walk pavement trail for kids - hop like a bunny here, spin here, follow the dots, touch your toes, smile - that sort of thing ... Thought it would be a lovely idea to do outside our house for all the kids going for walks with their parents .. cheer the kids up a bit. Happened to mention to neighbour over the fence before I started... He said oh isn't that vandalism of the council's property??? Hmm - AIBU or would it be nice thing to do? I tried googling it but there doesn't seem to be any clear cut law against it as far as I can see..?? Just don't want to draw it all out and then have to wash it straight off if it's illegal! Just to confirm I tried the chalks on the patio and they wash straight off..

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
BlackCatSleeping · 08/04/2020 13:01

Criminal Damage
Criminal Damage is the “deliberate or reckless damage” of property without lawful excuse. The damage does not have to be permanent – people have been accused of this offense after using chalk on paving stones.

RainbowsAndReading · 08/04/2020 13:02

I cannot believe anyone would complain about that!

"What is your emergency?"
"Someone has chalked a rainbow! I feel intimidated by these vandals! Not to mention it will lower the house prices in the area..."

Anyone who wastes police time over this in the current climate should be ashamed of themselves.

sleepingpup · 08/04/2020 13:03

oh dear god Do it!

kids have chalked down my road.

I would bet my loo roll stash that it is the last thing on ANY policeman's mind right now ( and pretty much anytime actually ) Common Sense anyone?

it's more about your man showing he "knows rules". Massive eye roll.

pigsDOfly · 08/04/2020 13:04

Stupid man, vandalism of council property fgs. It'll all wash off when it rains anyway. You're not proposing to burn satanic messages into the pavement.

Just go ahead and do it OP. I think it's a lovely idea.

Children have drawn all sorts on the pavements here, hopscotch, rainbows, little messages saying things like 'stay safe' and just pretty patterns in various colours.

Children have been drawing on the pavement in chalk for generations.

I grew up in the 50s, born at the end of the 40s, and we drew hopscotch on the pavement, my DCs did too. It's lovely to see children still doing it

I frequently feel tempted to hop on a hopscotch grid when I see them when I'm out walking the dog. My DD drew one for her DDs a few weeks ago, before the lockdown, managed to have a hop on that one though.

1066vegan · 08/04/2020 13:04

Sounds a lovely idea

hesgotit · 08/04/2020 13:05

Ignore your neighbour and carry on!

AmelieTaylor · 08/04/2020 13:05

🙄🙄 there are some proper tools on this thread too!

It's a lovely idea. I'm sure the kids bring route matched will enjoy it!!

I went into the local common yesterday morning, very early and there were chalk drawings from the day before on a patch of abandoned runway still there. Some rainbows, some quotes etc. It was really nice.

It's chalk, not paint. Go for it!!

BraveLittleDragon · 08/04/2020 13:09

I love pavement chalk too, however, the police did fine a shopkeeper for vandalism a few weeks ago when she chalked social distancing lines outside her shop... Maybe that is what he is on about?

Wheresthebeach · 08/04/2020 13:09

Our street has chalked hop scotch. Its cute.

Srslydontgiveacrap · 08/04/2020 13:12

Outside of lockdown I'm sure this is OK, but erm, you're supposed to be at home?????

PawPawNoodle · 08/04/2020 13:12

@AmelieTaylor where has anyone 'been a tool'? Those simply pointing out the law, which the OP had quite specifically asked about?

Thighmageddon · 08/04/2020 13:13

Normally I'm the kind of person who gets irrational rage at pavement chalk.

Now, at the moment, amidst a global pandemic, not so bothered by it.

In fact because I'm not leaving the house, I really don't care.

I may need to reassess my views on pavement chalking.

MamaBearOnLockdown · 08/04/2020 13:13

except you are not really going to a walk if you are stopping and drawing on the pavement as you go. How is that different from stopping to sunbathe in the park?

you are supposed to do it in front of your own property! Most of the kids are drawing on their driveways or pavements in front of their home here, it's nice, and everybody still stay safe.

Ellie56 · 08/04/2020 13:14

Nothing that can be solved with a bucket of water can be considered a huge problem in my opinion.

Pickledlegs Do you mean the chalk or the neighbour? Grin

RedskyAtnight · 08/04/2020 13:14

I wouldn't do it for the reason that if you include a number of the activities you've suggested it will cause children to linger in a particular area and potentially make it harder for others to social distance (or if you become popular, will you have a queue of children waiting to try?)

Devlesko · 08/04/2020 13:18

Mine used to do this all the time on our front, it washes off with the next shower, your neighbour is a killjoy.

WaxOnFeckOff · 08/04/2020 13:18

In normal times, I think it's a bit of an eyesore but would never say anything as it's just kids playing and I'm sure i did the same.

In current times, I think it's a good thing and quite a few in my area have done it.

I don't think it's illegal though, it's temporary and doing no damage.

pigsDOfly · 08/04/2020 13:19

I suppose it depends where you live as to what the police do about it.

I used to live in Brighton and often used to see several adults drawing artwork in chalk on the pavements, usually near the sea front, hoping for payment from passersby; some of it was really good too.

No one ever seemed to tell them to remove it or run them in for vandalism.

Seems a pretty miserable state of affairs when we're all trying to get through this bloody horrible situation we find ourselves in if people are going to take exception to a few drawings on the pavement that are going to wash away as soon as it rains.

Can't imagine the police would be rushing to arrest anyone over it tbh.

IrisAtwood · 08/04/2020 13:19

I think it’s a lovely idea too. However, the Daily Fail did report a woman being fined for spraying 2m lines outside her shop. 27th March 2020
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8159177/Police-forces-accused-overzealousness-follow-dog-walkers.html

Chillicheese123 · 08/04/2020 13:20

My dd chalks on our pavement
Comes off with a couple buckets of water or rain
It’s fine do it !

IrisAtwood · 08/04/2020 13:20

with chalk.

sleepingpup · 08/04/2020 13:20

stop over thinking this people. it's a simple little game for little children. it doesn't have to be far from the house. nice to pause whilst on your walk. really not a big deal. only if you need to make it one.

TheOrigBrave · 08/04/2020 13:22

Do it. If your neighbour raises it with you then say you're glad they mentioned it, that you had no idea it might be illegal so you looked it up and found that it's not.

Just don't draw boobs and willies.

Kahlua4me · 08/04/2020 13:22

I think it’s a lovely idea.

Somebody has drawn a hopscotch layout near me with a writing telling people to please play if they want to.

Whenwillthisbeover · 08/04/2020 13:23

I’ve seen loads of chalk recently on the pavements, I love it, especially the rainbows and the “we love the NHS because our mum works there” ones.

It will wash off when it rains.

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