Arson, Vandalism and Schools (From Crime at School: Proceedings of a Seminar Held 2-4 June 1987 in Canberra, P 155-159, 1987, Dennis Challinger, ed. - See NCJ-110911)

• NCJ Number: 110925
• Author(s): F Meaney
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-110911.

Annotation

Community involvement in school security can increase the protection of New South Wales' (Australia) schools against burglary, vandalism, and arson and contain the costs of electronic surveillance systems.

Abstract

Operating over a wide area, certain groups have targeted schools for forced entry to plunder and destroy property and steal expensive teaching equipment. Arson is often used to cover up the theft. In addition to secure locks on doors and windows, security lighting has been installed, back-to-base alarm systems are operative, mobile security patrols are operational, some schools have line-in caretakers, and electronic surveillance is being installed in schools at a significant cost. In spite of these security measures, however, the schools which are the least attacked tend to be in communities which have a strong protective attitude toward their school buildings rather than thinking of them as the government's buildings. This protective attitude has expressed itself in some communities through the rostering of parents to control school property when the school is not being used. A form of neighborhood watch is also used whereby citizens living near the school keep an eye on the premises in the course of their daily routines and report to the police any suspicious activity. Citizen involvement is school security can increase the effectiveness of a security system and lower its cost.