Yes, well if it makes you feel better, this kind of nonsense happens everywhere else; but of course, the problem in Detroit is the number of abandoned places and the lack of protection. I live two houses away from a high school and the kids break the tempered glass in the bus shelter every couple of weeks. There is a transit co. crew that comes and repairs this mess throughout the year.
Vandalism is vandalism period.

The only graffiti I respect is the mural work on allocated walls and there is a program by the city of Montreal to join up building owners and graffitti artists. I did a mural in 1981 which though faded is still there. I can handle the stuff on freeway ramps but not on public or private buildings without consent. Some of these murals are amazing, and the kids deserve to have access to space if their aim is to contribute something worthwhile. I think there are opportunities in Detroit for young artists who want to do that through similar programs.