Graffiti toy pulled from shelves

From the Forum:

In response to a letter written by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Hamilton Beach) to Toys “R” Us urging the removal of Kidffiti brand graffiti stencils kits from toy store shelves, the national retailer informed the Assemblyman that it will stop selling the product at its nearly one thousand stores nationwide.

“With this announcement, we’ve sent a strong message to our children about the value of caring for the community and keeping it clean and graffiti-free,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “I’d like thank Toys “R” Us for being a responsible community partner and agreeing to no longer stock this distasteful product on store shelves.”

Last month, Assemblyman Goldfeder wrote to Toys “R” Us C.E.O. Antonio Urcelay to urge the children’s toy retail chain to stop selling the Kidffiti product. In his letter, the Assemblyman wrote that the product taught local children how to vandalize their neighborhood and encouraged more dangerous criminal behavior. The Assemblyman’s request came in response to concerns raised by local residents, civic leaders and law enforcement officials over alarming increases in graffiti and vandalism in the community.

In a letter to the Assemblyman dated October 14, 2014, Toys “R” Us Vice President for Corporate Communications Kathleen Waugh wrote that the company appreciated the Assemblyman’s efforts in maintaining clean neighborhoods in the community. She added that Toys “R” Us plans to clear their shelves of the product and that they will no longer sell it going forward.