ACTS-AGAINST-PROPERTY MODEL - A CASE STUDY - AN EXTENSION OF THE TRADITIONAL VANDALISM MODEL

• NCJ Number: 65230
• Author(s): R F THAW
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 200 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SPECIAL PRICES FOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

A THEORETICAL MODEL OF DAMAGE AGAINST SCHOOL PROPERTY IS DEVELOPED AND APPLIED IN A STUDY OF FIVE SCHOOLS IN SAN JOSE, CALIF.

Abstract

THE ACTS-AGAINST-PROPERTY MODEL DISTINGUISHES AMONG HOSTILITY-DIRECTED ACTS, ACTS OF CARELESSNESS, AND ACTS OF THOUGHTFULNESS, THEREBY OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL VIEW OF DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY AS SOLELY A MATTER OF VANDALISM. THE MODEL WAS USED TO INVESTIGATE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONE SAN JOSE CENSUS TRACT. THE INVESTIGATION POINTED UP WAYS IN WHICH THE ACTS-AGAINST-PROPERTY MODEL CAN PROMOTE MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING OF DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY, MORE ACCURATE ASSESSMENTS OF RELATED COSTS, AND MORE REALISTIC PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAN ARE POSSIBLE WHEN ALL INSTANCES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE ARE REGARDED AS CONSEQUENCES OF VANDALISM. SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES IN THE SAN JOSE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S APPROACH TO DEALING WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE WERE IDENTIFIED, SUCH AS ABSENCE OF A CONSENSUS REGARDING WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED AS PROPERTY LOSS, EXCLUSION OF SECURITY COSTS FROM ESTIMATES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE COSTS, UNFAMILIARITY WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE MATTERS AMONG SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND FAILURE TO INCLUDE LESSONS ON RESPONSIBILITY AS PART OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM. THE REPORT INCLUDES A LITERATURE REVIEW, DETAILS OF THE MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE HANDLING OF DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY, BOTH IN SAN JOSE AND GENERALLY. SUPPORTING DATA, COPIES OF STUDY INSTRUMENTS, AND OVER 100 REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.