NCJ Number
58046
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE SOURCES AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF VANDALISM AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL STRATEGIES ARE DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREAS.
Abstract
WILLINGNESS TO WRITE OFF VANDALISM AS SENSELESS AND WANTON AND TO CONCENTRATE ON CATCHING AND PUNISHING VANDALS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A DESIRE TO IDENTIFY MOTIVES AND TO MODIFY STIMULI. MOST ACTS OF VANDALISM ARE COMMITTED BY YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE ONLY PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR THE PROBLEM. SOME ADULTS ACTUALLY PROMOTE VANDALISM BY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE 'SYSTEM' OR BY UNREASONABLY RESTRICTING THEIR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES. YOUTHS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ENGAGE IN VANDALISM AS A RESPONSE TO HARRASSMENT FROM PARENTS OR POLICE. ALSO TO BLAME ARE PLANNERS, DEVELOPERS, ARCHITECTS, AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO FAIL TO RECOGNIZE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS IN DEVELOPING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. ONE PROMISING APPROACH TO THE CONTROL OF VANDALISM LIES IN THE CONCEPTS OF INCREASED VISIBILITY AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO EXTEND THESE CONCEPTS TO RECREATIONAL LANDS BY ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG USERS WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY TO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. SIMPLY INCREASING USER POPULATIONS COULD ALSO HELP TO MAKE RECREATIONAL AREAS MORE 'DEFENSIBLE'. A SECOND APPROACH IS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THOSE WHO OPERATE THE PARKS AND THOSE WHO USE THEM. THERE IS A NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE SYMBOLISM OF SOME ACTS OF VANDALISM, TO AVOID UNNECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE PARK USERS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPING RULES. A THIRD APPROACH LIES IN INVOLVING THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THOUGHT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VANDALISM, IN THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BY OBSERVING HOW THE PUBLIC USES RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)