NCJ Number
50344
Date Published
1976
Length
45 pages
Annotation
AN APPROACH USED SUCCESSFULLY TO REDUCE VANDALISM IN THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS OF SAN BRUNO, CALIF., IS DESCRIBED IN A MANUAL DIRECTED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES WITH SCHOOL VANDALISM PROBLEMS.
Abstract
BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSISTENTLY REWARDING DESIRABLE BEHAVIOR WITH APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION, PROJECT PRIDE REDUCED THE COST OF VANDALISM IN THE SAN BRUNO SCHOOL DISTRICT BY 60 PERCENT OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD. RECOGNITION AWARDS (FLAGS, TROPHIES, PLAQUES, BUTTONS, BADGES, PATCHES, ETC.) BEARING THE PROJECT'S SMILING-FACE INSIGNIA ARE USED TO REWARD INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN, CLASSES, AND SCHOOLS FOR TAKING CARE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES. EACH SCHOOL IS GRANTED $1.00 PER PUPIL PER YEAR FOR A PROJECT PRIDE FUND. IF AN ACT OF VANDALISM OCCURS AND GOES UNCORRECTED, THE COST OF THE VANDALISM IS SUBTRACTED FROM THE FUND. AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THE STUDENTS USE THE REMAINING FUNDS TO BUY SOMETHING FOR THE SCHOOL. THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON TOTAL INVOLVEMENT--STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, PARENTS, SECRETARIES, CUSTODIANS, ETC.--AND ON BUILDING THE SELF-ESTEEM OF THE CHILDREN. PEER GROUP PRESSURE HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN DISCOURAGING THE CHILDREN WHO COMMIT MOST OF THE VANDALISM. THE MANUAL DESCRIBES HOW PROJECT PRIDE GOT STARTED AND PRESENTS DETAILS OF SPECIFIC PROJECT ACTIVITIES. THE BASIC CAUSES OF VANDALISM ARE DISCUSSED, AS IS THE NATURE OF VANDALISM IN THE SCHOOLS--WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW IT IS COMMITTED. DETERRENTS TO VANDALISM (GOOD ARCHITECTURE, PROMPT REPAIRS OF DAMAGES, ALARM SYSTEMS, NIGHT LIGHTING, GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLICE AND NEIGHBORS, FENCES, RESTITUTION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL, ATTRACTIVE SCHOOL FACILITIES) ARE OUTLINED. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE BEST DETERRENT TO VANDALISM IS GOOD ADMINISTRATION, TOGETHER WITH FRIENDLY, UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL PERSONNEL. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT PRIDE ACTIVITIES AT SPECIFIC GRADE LEVELS, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, IS DESCRIBED, AND THE EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT ARE DISCUSSED. A CHECKLIST OF DO'S AND DON'TS FOR PREVENTING VANDALISM AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN IS PROVIDED, TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION ON FILMS ABOUT PROJECT PRIDE AND ON THE AVAILABILITY OF PROJECT PRIDE RECOGNITION MATERIALS. (LKM)