WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – An online campaign has been launched to raise money for a Rhode Island man who was ordered to pay restitution for leaving graffiti messages about his loneliness around Providence.
Nineteen-year-old Devin Costa was ordered last week to pay more than $12,000 to cover the cleanup costs of his pink and white messages left on buildings, which included “Lonely as I’ve ever been,” “I love you even when you don’t notice” and “Lonely as ever.”
The Providence Journal reports that the online campaign raised more than $1,000 in its first two days.
Campaign supporters say Costa has opened a conversation on mental health, companionship and gentrification.
Costa pleaded no contest to multiple counts of vandalism, charges that will be dismissed if he stays out of legal trouble for two years.
