NCJ Number
15417
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1974) Pages: 11-18
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PRESSURES ON SCHOOLS RESULTING FROM INCREASED VANDALISM, THE RESULTS OF SOME METHODS INSTITUTED TO REDUCE VANDALISM, AND THE NEED FOR EVALUATION AND COOPERATION IN ANTI-VANDALISM MEASURES ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE ECONOMIC COSTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VANDALISM - PROPERTY DESTRUCTION AND THEFT, SECURITY AND INSURANCE PROTECTION - ARE FIRST DISCUSSED. THREE ANTI-VANDALISM MEASURES WHICH HAVE PRODUCED PARADOXICAL RESULTS ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS STATED THAT THE INSTALLATION OF SECURITY DEVICES AND ALARMS, AND THE HARDENING OF SCHOOLS THROUGH BARS AND METAL GRILLES HAVE IN MANY CASES FAILED TO WORK OR TO DETER VANDALISM. SIMILARLY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING OF SCHOOLS HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE LITTLE DETERRENT EFFECT IN MANY CASES. ATTEMPTS TO INVOLVE YOUTHS IN THE SCHOOL THROUGH OPENING SCHOOLS FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HAVE ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE LITTLE OR NO EFFECT. THE NEED FOR PROGRAM DESIGN, EVALUATION CRITERIA, AND EDUCATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MUTUAL SUPPORT IS REVIEWED. A LIST OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES WHICH COULD BE EMPLOYED TO DETER VANDALISM IS PROVIDED.