TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- The image of Michael Brown, the teenager shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, was painted on the front of a security gate at North Broad and East Hanover streets in Trenton with the caption "Sagging pants is not probable cause."
It was created by local artist Will Condry.
"Regardless of what happened that day, it's the fact that this has spurred a very healthy debate about what is right and what is wrong. The only way we're gonna get past that is to talk about it," said Condry.
The mural was located in the middle of the city's business district.
The Trenton Downtown Association had it painted over after police raised concerns.
The neighborhood is a high-crime area, the scene of a double shooting on Columbus Day, and officers think the mural sent the wrong message.
"You immediately think, 'Oh, the police are wrong, the police are bad' and that's not what we want to convey. We want to convey that, 'Hey, the police are here for us to work with us.'" Said Ernest Parrey, Trenton Police director.
Artists with a local group called the Sage Coalition aren't surprised the mural was painted over. They intended for it and Michael Brown's controversial shooting to spark discussion.
"We thought people would have something to say about it. It was gonna be good, bad, whatever, but it was gonna get people talking," said Bryon Marshall.
"Do I think it should have come down? No. I think there should have been a conversation about it perhaps," said Caitlin Fair.
"Right now it's this us against them mentality and we're trying to get beyond that," said Condry.
Condry says he plans to repaint the mural next month at an art event, but perhaps in a place that's a little less controversial.