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The man responsible for graffiti on downtown Elgin buildings has apologized for his actions.
Camron A. Carter sent a letter to business owners and others responsible for buildings on which he recently drew graffiti. He acknowledged responsibility for the crime and that it was not only wrong, “but what I did was disrespectful.”
“I acted off of emotion and impulse and made some really ignorant, horrible decisions that I more than just regret,” said Carter. “I wish nothing more than to turn back time and not make these mistakes that I've made.”
Carter, 18, of Elgin, was arrested March 27 in connection with graffiti splattered throughout central Elgin last month. He was charged with a class B misdemeanor.
“Detectives began investigating the incidents and through evidence and interviews were able to identify Carter as the suspect,” said EPD in a press release.
As graffiti began to pop up on outside walls at several locations, 13 reports from business owners and city employees described similar drawings.
“Some of these were the same business calling in multiple times,” said Commander Aaron Crim in the early stages of the investigation. “In all of these instances, there is a pattern of the same graffiti being painted, so it is presumed that they are all related.”
Graffiti was drawn at 20 N. Main St as well as Brique, Elgin Public Library, Advocacy Center, Prosperity Bank, Powel’s Printery, Citgo Food Mart, El Maguey and Candy Nails.
“I aspire to own my own place of business someday,” said Carter, “and I know now things like this will only lead me in the opposite direction from my goals and my dreams.”
He apologized to the entire Elgin community and offered help to repair any damage caused by the graffiti.
“I'll never in my life do anything like this ever again,” added Carter. “I humbly ask for forgiveness from anyone I've mentioned in this letter directly or indirectly to the whole city of Elgin.”
The full letter, with minor spelling and punctuation corrections, is as follows:
"To whom it may concern —
I, Camron Anthony Carter, write this formal apology addressed to all of the town of Elgin and any and all of the business owners or establishments owners I have affected with my actions. I would like to start this letter off by saying I truly am sorry and I know not only what I did was wrong, but what I did was disrespectful, distasteful. I acted off of emotion and impulse and made some really ignorant, horrible decisions that I more than just regret. I wish nothing more than to turn back time and not make these mistakes that I've made, but unfortunately I cannot, but what I can do is tell you all I truly am remorseful, and whatever it takes to make each and every specific mistake right, I will take the time to do so, have it be cleaning up the damages, and/or paying for it, I take full responsibiity and will do absolutely anything that's asked of me. I care for what I've done in the community and even if I am asked to come multiple times a week and asked to wash buildings I've affected, I'm more than willing to. I would extremely appreciate any and all opportunities to clean any property I've defaced and pay for whatever I possibly can. I know how big of a deal vandalism is and how seriously business woners take graffiti now more than ever. I've been educated about how much hard work and dedication goes into owning your own property, let alone one you do business out of, or work from. I know seeing an establishment I worked at or owned be defaced the way I defaced properties here in Elgin, I would be furious. I aspire to own my own place of business someday, and I know now things like this will only lead me in the opposite direction from my goals and my dreams, and I empathize with anyone who's upset with me and what I've done. All I ask is that you hear me out and give me a chance to speak with you in person and apologize face to face, and a chance to do whatever each and everyone of you sees fit to show my remorse for the mistakes I've made. I'll never in my life do anything like this ever again. I humbly ask for forgiveness from anyone I've mentioned in this letter directly or indirectly to the whole city of elgin. I apologize and am truly sorrowful of my actions. I promise to make better choices in my life from here on out, and I promise to follow up my words with actions when it comes to cleaning and/or paying for any of the damages I've caused. I know the consequences of these actions now first hand through experience, and I never want to have to have to go through that again. I am grateful to God for my freedom and the time I have to write this and send it out to who I've affected since I now know more than better of what not to do. I can asure whomever is reading this that I will do better and make a positive change in my life. I promise to do better in my life and better by the community of Elgin.
— Sincerely, Camron Anthony Carter"
