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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 Wendy Birnbaum on May 14, 2012 at 11:25am: Joe...that is a wonderful,idea!!! Do it! And keep us posted when to tune in...I'm sure they could make a great a great segment from this one!

Comment by Dana S. Chisholm on May 14, 2012 at 11:28am: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sandman-of-Coronado/84276429495

thanks :-)

Comment by David Fenner on May 14, 2012 at 11:44am: You HAVE to be kidding us.

Why not go directly to Prez Obama? He'd concur, the man is not being treated fairly.

Comment by David Fenner on May 14, 2012 at 11:44am: You HAVE to be kidding us.

Why not go directly to Prez Obama? He'd concur, the man is not being treated fairly.

Comment by Joyce E Russell on May 14, 2012 at 11:46am: I look forward to seeing the Sandman's art every morning . . . it makes me smile . . . I wish the person (s) complaining would give it a rest. Pleeeeeeease!

Comment by Dana S. Chisholm on May 14, 2012 at 12:51pm: Well - he didn't get a ticket for not having a permit...I called the City to find out how to get him a permit (hoping to solve an easy fix) turns out - its not about permits. He was cited for breaking a Municipal Code - meaning a City of Coronado rule for not putting things in the roadway. It is still an easy fix - the Mayor and City Council can change the code so artists such as sand, or sidewalk chalk, etc are not ticketed as long as they clean their space. Problem solved! :-) And, no one called it in...the foot patrol officer happened to be walking the beach and she cited him. This can easily be fixed. Years ago I took the California driving test for larger vehicles so I could drive the church van, and on the test there are two things allowed to fly out of a moving vehicle; water and feather from a live bird. Who knew? Exceptions are made all the time. Chalk and sand is no big deal.

Comment by Kathy Williams Campbell on May 14, 2012 at 12:53pm: Hahaha! Can you imagine CPD dealing with The Naked Cowboy??? Too funny to think about. Seriously, why is The Sandman such a "problem" for CPD? It also seems like it's always the female officers who get the Sandman calls....

Comment by Michael Vaughan on May 14, 2012 at 1:05pm: Mr Sandman, bring us a dream.......

Comment by Kerry Roth on May 14, 2012 at 1:23pm: How much could a permit be? Perhaps there is a larger group of residents and business' (like the Hotel Del ) who would fund this expense. His art is obviously not permanent so I am at a loss at what there is to complain about. It's organic and blends with the landscape.

Is it illegal to do art on a public surface? Does it need to be on private property? Maybe the city could hire him ( for the cost of the permit) to continue to beautify their public areas. It is a unique art form that could distinguish Coronado from the rest of the San Diego area. Promoting this via websites and blogs could bring tourists in and increase revenues.

Someone needs to start thinking in a business mode. That appears to be what is behind the need for a permit. Money. If he is legal with a permit any unhappy resident's have nothing more to complain about. Sounds like a city council meeting agenda item.

Comment by Kerry Roth on May 14, 2012 at 1:26pm: Sited for putting sand in the road? Are you kidding. What's next. Citing all the people emptying out their sand filled shoes before they get back into their cars? Please.

Comment (keep it clean & on topic)