NCJ Number
88688
Date Published
1982
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examines who are the rural vandals, why they vandalize, and some alternatives to addressing the problem.
Abstract
Rural vandalism is a significant problem, as indicated by a number of studies, notably an Ohio victimization survey that revealed vandalism to be the leading crime reported by respondents (38 percent). Vandalism tends to be a group activity performed by males from single-parent households, with the later factor perhaps indicating the existence of a significant amount of unsupervised time. Further, students who indicate they like to do things with their families were significantly less likely to become involved in vandalism. Persons with higher levels of involvement in religious activities were less likely to participate in vandalism. The commission of an act of vandalism requires three elements: (1) a person motivated to do the act, (2) the opportunity to commit the act, and (3) a target. Surveys indicate that motivation is done primarily as a 'game' or a 'joke.' Opportunity is related to how youth use their leisure time, and whether or not an object becomes the target of vandalism depends upon its availability, accessibility, and the suitability of circumstances for the particular act of vandalism. Influences that tend to reduce vandalism are programs conducted by schools, churches, and civic youth groups that emphasize commitment to positive goals and the consequences of destructive acts. The reduction of opportunity and the availability of targets can be accomplished through such activities as block or community watch programs, CB patrol, and target hardening that makes vandalism of particularly valuable targets very difficult. Twelve references are provided.