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Sandman Leaves Message in Art for Police After Receiving Another Ticket(Photos)

Alberto Avila, commonly known as the Sandman, displays his most recent ticket he received from a Coronado Police Officer for not having a proper permit to do his art. The Sandman reports he has been given about one dozen tickets, for all of which he shows up in court and they have been dismissed.

A drawing the Sandman created today in response to his recent ticket:

His message reads: "J. Gutzmer New Coronado's Lady Police Wants to Stop Sandman's Art"

This photo was taken earlier in the week with a similar message:

The Sandman has had an on-again-off-again relationship with the Coronado community since he first arrived in 2006. He made his most recent return to Coronado earlier this year after spending 5 months in jail.

Happy Mother's Day from the Sandman!

Tags: community, people

6 members like this

Comment by Kelley Kraft Casey on May 14, 2012 at 10:18am: I suppose if someone complains about him, the officers have to respond. I don't think his "art" slamming the police officer is entirely appropriate, but I do wish that he'd be left alone. The kids love him and wave at him when they see him on an intersection. Tourists love his work. He doesn't ask for money.

Is this different than kids using chalk on a sidewalk, or making a sandcastle? It's not permanent. He's not defacing anything. I hope that if there are folks complaining about him that they consider lightening up a bit.

Recently I was just about bowled over on orange avenue near Panera by a teenager on a bike. Happens all the time, and it's not just the teenagers. Plenty of adults, too. Ticketing would definitely be in order there.

Comment by Sue Shirey on May 14, 2012 at 10:30am: There is a facebook page for The Sandman of Coronado - You can upload photos and share. The Sandman brings smiles!

Comment by Sandy Brown Zumbro on May 14, 2012 at 10:38am: I love that he is so generous in sharing his amazing artistic talent, but I wonder if the problem might be that, over time, too much sand will end up in the sewer system. We have a problem with that here in Fla. when people blow their lawn clippings, etc. into the street.

Comment by Deanna Latendresse on May 14, 2012 at 10:42am: Agree that the police officer's time could be better spent....Locals love him, tourists love him. I may be wrong, but the only time he seems to cause any problems is when he is interacting with the police. Meanwhile, meters are expiring, bikes are riding down Orange Ave., people are jaywalking. Surely the police officers can pick their battles.....

Photo Star Comment by Dan Megna on May 14, 2012 at 10:55am: While I certainly believe our local law enforcement often falls short of attending to many far more pressing issues, or seem to have priorities WAY outta whack, I also know for a fact there are folks here in town who do not appreciate Sandman the way most of us do. When those people call the police and complain, the cops really have little choice but to take some sort of enforcement action such as scratching him a ticket. If they don't, the complaining party goes straight to City Hall or the Chief of Police and fuss the cops ain't doing their job. While it often appears to be a couple jack-booted storm trooper cops are rousting an old man, it's quite likely, lurking in the shadows or high above in their Shores condo, there's some cranky, unhappy person who called the cops on Sandman and are demanding something be done. Remember the proverbial squeaky wheel? It's a cops job to oil it.... Maybe unfortunate but oh so true...

Comment by David Fenner on May 14, 2012 at 10:59am: What are the police supposed to do, ignore this littering of the streets? As for the other things, yes, people have expired meters, jaywalking, etc, I do not think that the cops are ignoring those violiations just to get this fellow. come on, folks, If we all piled sand up on the streets or littered the streets, where would we be? And, this fellow also has to be jaywalking in order to draw on the street. you can't have it both ways. Let the cops deal with it and stop being so 'pick your own crime priority' in your thinking. If its illegal, it is the duty to enforce laws. Problem with society now, is that we have moral relevancy, and disregard the existing laws .

Comment by Julie Overstreet on May 14, 2012 at 11:10am: The Sandman is iconic Coronado - leave him be and let him do what he loves and gives us (most of us that is) an extra appreciation of the simple things in life by bringing a smile to our faces.

Comment by Wendy Birnbaum on May 14, 2012 at 11:15am: I am so lucky that I can see the Sandman's wonderful art from my window at the Shores. He continually makes me smile.He is a Coronado icon. I love the idea of raising money for a permit if that's what it will really take to allow him to continue! But somehow I feel that the angry police officer will look for another channel to stop him.

Comment by Brian Smith on May 14, 2012 at 11:20am: The city should be paying him.....afterall he does sweep up the trash and debris before creating another sand masterpiece

Comment by Joe Boucher on May 14, 2012 at 11:22am: I witness the sandman sweeping up everything he puts down. More than what many other people do. I'm considering contacting 60 Minutes or Doctor Phil, they would love this one.