NCJ Number
64989
Date Published
1978
Length
44 pages
Annotation
VANDALISM IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES IS CONSIDERED, AND WAYS OF CONTROLLING PROPERTY DESTRUCTION (LAWS, PHYSICAL MEASURES, POLICING, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND EDUCATION) ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE TERM 'VANDALISM' DOES NOT APPEAR IN GREAT BRITAIN'S CRIMINAL LAW; UNDER THE CRIMINAL LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES, 'VANDALS' ARE USUALLY DEALT WITH BY THE CRIMINAL DAMAGE ACT OF 1971. THIS ACT PROVIDES THAT A PERSON WHO DESTROYS PROPERTY OF ANOTHER OR INTENDS TO DESTROY PROPERTY IS GUILTY OF AN OFFENSE. IN THE UNITED STATES, THE TERM 'VANDALISM' ONLY APPEARS IN THE LAWS OF SEVEN STATES. MORE COMMONLY, STATE STATUTES REFER TO CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, MALICIOUS PROPERTY DESTRUCTION, MALICIOUS MISCHIEF, OR CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. STATE LAWS VARY WIDELY IN THEIR SCOPE AND STRUCTURE AND IN RELATION TO FINES AND PUNISHMENTS. THE FBI'S UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS DEFINE VANDALISM AS WILLFUL DESTRUCTION OR DEFACEMENT OF PROPERTY WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE OWNER OR PERSONS HAVING CUSTODY OR CONTROL. VANDALISM IS LARGELY ASSOCIATED WITH YOUTH AND ADOLESCENCE. SEVEN TYPES OF VANDALISM ARE: (1) ACQUISITIVE VANDALISM, PROPERTY DAMAGE TO ACQUIRE MONEY OR GOODS; (2) TACTICAL VANDALISM, PROPERTY DAMAGE DONE INTENTIONALLY TO ADVANCE SOME OTHER END; (3) IDELOGICAL VANDALISM, CARRIED OUT EXPLICITLY TO FURTHER AN IDEOLOGICAL CAUSE; (4) VINDICTIVE VANDALISM, PROPERTY DAMAGE TO A SELECTED TARGET FOR REVENGE ON THE OWNER OR REPRESENTATIVE; (5) PLAY VANDALISM, PROPERTY DAMAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF A GAME; (6) GROUP VANDALISM, PROPERTY DAMAGE AS PART OF GANG ACTIVITIES; AND (7) GRAFITI, VANDALISM WITH THE USE OF PAINT SPRAY CANS AND MARKING PENS TO EXPRESS PERSONAL IDENTITY. SCHOOL PROBLEMS ARE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR VANDALISM, BUT OTHER CAUSES MAYBE RESTRICTED OPPORTUNITIES; SUBCULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN VALUES AND ATTITUDES; PROLONGED ADOLESCENT DEPENDENCE; SERIOUSLY DAMAGED PERSONALITIES; AND LABELING AND STEREOTYPING. VANDALISM MAY BE CONTROLLED BY ANTIVANDAL MATERIALS AND FITTINGS, ALARM SYSTEMS, POLICING, THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION. ALTHOUGH THE NATURE OF VANDALISM IS THE SAME IN THE U.S. AS IT IS IN BRITAIN, THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN AMERICA OF FAR GREATER, ESPECIALLY WHEN OBSERVED IN NEW YORK, DETROIT, LOS ANGELES, AND ST. LOUIS. FOOTNOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND A QUESTIONNAIRE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON VANDALISM ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)