NCJ Number
17758
Date Published
1970
Length
158 pages
Annotation
EROSIVE, FUN, AND ANGRY VANDALISM ARE THE DEGREES AND TYPES DEFINED, AND PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH-ADULT COMMUNICATION SEMINARS, TOGETHER WITH POLICE AUXILLARY PATROLS ARE RECOMMENDED PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
Abstract
EROSIVE AND FUN VANDALISM ARE CONSIDERED MINOR, CARELESS ACTS THAT GROW FROM THE TYPICAL ADOLESCENT NEED TO TRANSGRESS ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. ANGRY VANDALISM IS ROOTED IN A STRONG AGGRESSION TOWARD AUTHORITY FIGURES WHO MAKE DEMANDS AND RESTRICT BEHAVIOR. IT IS THOUGHT THAT SUCH VANDALISM IS AN ATTACK UPON PERSONS IN AUTHORITY THROUGH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SYMBOLS OF THEIR EXISTENCE AND POWER. CITIZEN AUXILLARY PATROLS, EDUCATION OF YOUTH ABOUT THE COST OF VANDALISM, AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE YOUTH AND ADULT COMMUNICATION IN THE SPECIFIC AREAS OF RULES AND RESTRICTIONS ARE SUGGESTED REMEDIES. THE AUTHOR WARNS AGAINST A STRONGLY PUNITIVE OVER-REACTION TO THE GROWING PROBLEM.