SCHOOL VANDALISM IN ALBERTA - AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE NATURE, COSTS, AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

• NCJ Number: 49525
• Author(s): C SCHOTT
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 56 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Lethbridge
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PROBLEM OF SCHOOL VANDALISM IN ALBERTA, CANADA IS DISCUSSED AND THE EXTENT OF INCREASES IN VANDALISM AND THE COST TO THE TAXPAYER ARE ASSESSED.

Abstract

THIS REPORT WHICH BEGINS WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM OF VANDALISM IN ALBERTA'S SCHOOLS EMPHASIZES THE COSTS OF VANDALISM. DETERMINATION OF THE COSTS IS BY SCHOOL SIZE AND IS DEPENDENT UPON WHETHER THE SCHOOL IS RURAL OR URBAN, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE. FOLLOWING AN EXAMINATION OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE ON THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF VANDALISM, THE DIFFICULTIES OF PREVENTING VANDALISM ARE UNDERSCORED. SEVERAL PROPOSALS MADE FOR DEALING WITH THE GROWING PROBLEM OF SCHOOL-DIRECTED VANDALISM FOCUS ON SUCH FACTORS AS BUILDING DESIGN, BUILDING USE, AND SECURITY SYSTEMS. AN ATTEMPT IS ALSO MADE TO ASCERTAIN THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE MARKED DIFFERENCES IN LOSSES CAUSED BY VANDALISM. THE FACTORS EXAMINED INCLUDE SCHOOL CLIMATE, CACHEMENT AREA, SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, AND SECURITY PROVISIONS. NO DIFFERENCES WERE FOUND FOR MOST OF THESE FACTORS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REDUCTION OF SCHOOL VANDALISM PROVIDED, EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR A UNIFORM REPORTING SYSTEM. TABULAR DATA ARE APPENDED, ALONG WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT MODIFIED--KBL)