How does the community react to these memorials? Do people decorate them like shrines, with flowers, candles, and so on?
The ephemeral nature of New York street life seems to prevent pedestrian-death sites from becoming shrines on their own. Perhaps because of this void, most reactions to our stenciling are supportive. Not infrequently, passersby who knew the victim have commented on his or her life and the manner of death, and have thanked us for memorializing the person. On perhaps half-a-dozen occasions, a family member has passed by, or been present by arrangement, or has called or written subsequently to express appreciation. Additionally, our memorials have received wide and positive press coverage. Most important, the memorials are noticed by the thousands of pedestrians that pass a given site each day, so that the lives lost to automobile violence may be remembered and mourned. Stencilers have been berated by passersby several times; the best reaction is to acknowledge the criticism politely and respectfully while continuing to complete the job. In the one instance in which a family member wrote
