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Summary of Responses to School Vandalism & Break-ins

The table below summarizes the responses to school vandalism and break-ins, the mechanism by which they are intended to work, the conditions under which they ought to work best, and some factors you should consider before implementing a particular response. It is critical that you tailor responses to local circumstances, and that you can justify each response based on reliable analysis. In most cases, an effective strategy will involve implementing several different responses. Law enforcement responses alone are seldom effective in reducing or solving the problem.

Response No.ResponseHow It WorksWorks Best If…Considerations
General Considerations for an Effective Response Strategy
1.Recognizing the person-environment interaction Addresses personal motivations for and environmental facilitators of vandalism…multifaceted, potent combinations of responses are implementedOver-reliance on environmental responses can make schools seem fortress-like
2.Establishing a task force Involves stakeholders with varying expertisebroad representation is sought, stakeholders are responsible for responses within their area of expertise, and student leaders and marginalized students are includedDue to its complexity, the initiative requires a coordinator to ensure that all responses are implemented according to design and within targeted timelines
3.Using the media wisely Shows vandalism's impact, such as the scale of resources squandered and feelings of loss among studentsboth local media and student media sources are usedThere is a risk that media attention may sensationalize events and promote the concept of achieving notoriety through high-profile crimes committed against school property
4.Setting priorities Targets events with both high financial and social costshigh-value items are protected, and priorities are established at the outset of the initiativeIt may not address factors that contribute to high-volume but non-serious vandalism
5.Operating at the district level Maximizes the efficiency of problem analysis and response implementationindividual schools are given the authority to fine-tune responses to address local conditionsRequires both district- and school-level facilitators to make sure that action plans are carried out at each site
Specific Responses to School Vandalism and Break-Ins
Changes to the Physical Environment
6.Controlling access to deter unauthorized entry Makes it difficult to enter school grounds and buildings after hoursmaterials and devices are of good quality and cannot easily be broken or disabledIt can be more costly to fortify the building than to repair the damage caused by vandalism; fire escape routes may be compromised; it can give buildings a foreboding appearance
7.Posting warning signs Lists prohibited activities, indicates that the school is cared for and controlled, and deters potential intruderssigns are prominently placed and are supplemented with architectural features such as gardens, sitting areas, and student artworkIt may not deter highly motivated offenders; signs and architectural features may become vandalism targets
8.Storing valuables in secure areas Makes it harder and more time-consuming to steal valuablesvaluables are stored in inner rooms with high-quality locking devices, and there are no signs indicating where high-value goods areIt may be inconvenient to staff who regularly want to access equipment
9.Reducing the availability of combustibles Makes it harder to start a fire, by limiting the materials available on-sitetrash cans are emptied regularly, and flammable chemicals are always properly securedIt requires constant attention; it may be inconvenient to staff who regularly want to access chemicals
10.Inscribing valuables with identifying marks Reduces the incentive for burglary by making it hard to sell stolen goodsidentifying marks are conspicuous and permanentIt can make equipment less attractive; it is ineffective if the vandal wants to destroy the items
11.Adjusting indoor or outdoor lightingEither increases others' ability to spot intruders or reduces intruders' ability to see what they are doingthe community is aware of the school's policy and knows how to report suspicious behavior to the policeWell-lit campuses have high energy costs; "dark campuses" may compromise the safety of staff and others who are there for legitimate reasons
12.Obstructing vandals through physical barriers Makes it harder to damage propertyhigh-quality, strong finishes and enclosures are used, and barriers are well maintainedIt does not address vandals' underlying motivation; it can be expensive; potential offenders may see it as a challenge
13.Repairing damage quickly and improving the appearance of school grounds Gives the impression that the school is under steady surveillance by those concerned about keeping it safematerials needed to repair damage or repaint surfaces are kept on handIt requires constant attention by maintenance staff; multiple repairs can be costly
14.Removing ground-floor glass windows and other vandalism targets Eliminates or fortifies easily damaged fixturesfeatures are considered when buildings are first designed, and high-quality glass substitutes are usedIt can be costly and decrease the building's attractiveness
Offender-Focused Responses
15.Increasing the frequency of security-staff patrolsIncreases offenders' risk of getting caught, and regular contact with police may improve reportingpatrols are consistent but unpredictable, and mainly conducted by school security staff, conserving police resources for response and investigationIt requires significant manpower, which may be costly
16.Using closed- circuit television Increases offenders' risk of getting caught, as footage may be used to identify themequipment is placed and angled properly, and used to review incidents rather than to prompt intervention in ongoing incidentsIt is expensive and logistically difficult to install in existing buildings; cameras can be vandalized; it requires monitoring and consistent maintenance
17.Improving opportunities for natural surveillanceIncreases offenders' risk of getting caughtresidents are encouraged to be alert to suspicious activity, and know how to report it to policeIt is not useful if the school is in an isolated area
18.Providing caretaker or "school sitter" housing on school grounds Increases offenders' risk of getting caughtthe caretaker feels it is cost-beneficial and is a school employeeMaintaining the residence may be costly; it may be hard to supervise the caretaker appropriately
19.Holding offenders accountable Deters would-be offenders from engaging in or repeating the behaviorit is combined with investigative enforcement activities, involves students in problem-solving, addresses offenders' motivations, and is publicized during student orientationIts effectiveness is not well documented; few offenders are apprehended
20.Diverting offenders to alternative activities Decreases the amount of unstructured, unsupervised time offenders have; channels behavior in prosocial directions; and may encourage better reportingprograms encourage a sense of ownership, target students appropriately, and involve students in planning activitiesIt may not involve the students most at risk for vandalism; it may not have credibility among disenfranchised student groups
School Management Practices
21.Educating school staff Increases the consistency with which other responses are applied, and increases offenders' risk of getting caughtproperty protection procedures are discussed regularly at staff meetings, and procedures are documented in a manualIt does not address offenders' motivation or the environmental features that make the school vulnerable
22.Controlling building and room keys Reduces potential means of unauthorized accessthe distribution of keys is limited, and periodic key checks are conductedIt is limited to a single entry method; it depends on teacher vigilance and compliance with procedures
23.Maintaining an inventory of valuable equipmentImproves the ability to detect when equipment has been stolendetailed inventory lists are created and secured off-site, and are updated regularlyIt affects only the ability to confirm that property has been stolen; it has no prevention value
24.Creating a "vandalism account"Gives students an incentive to refrain from and report vandalismrewards are made available periodically throughout the yearIt requires staff time to administer; apathetic youths can subvert the process; vandalism is not always committed by students; if no money is returned, the program loses credibility
25.Changing the organizational climate Makes the school more responsive to student needs, and addresses vindictive motivationsstudents are involved in identifying concerns and designing modificationsIt may be difficult to develop a plan; it requires motivated staff to implement changes; vandalism is not always committed by students
Community-Focused Responses
26.Providing rewards for information concerning vandalism or break-ins Increases incentives for students and residents to provide information, and increases offenders' risk of getting caughtit is supported by local police, and students are given autonomy in running the programInvestigation time may be wasted on inaccurate or misleading tips; it is not prevention-oriented
27.Creating "School Watch" programs Increases offenders' risk of getting caughtpatrols are regular but unpredictable, volunteers immediately contact the police if they see suspicious activities, and activities and outcomes are well publicizedIt can be hard to maintain resident participation levels; there is a risk of vigilantism among volunteers, and concerns about volunteer safety
28.Evaluating public use of school facilities after hours Increases offenders' risk of getting caughtrules and boundaries are clear, and other areas of the school are securedPotential vandals or intruders may have unquestioned access to the school
Responses With Limited Effectiveness
29.Controlling the sale of vandalism toolsBans the sale of materials used for vandalismIt requires extensive cooperation from merchants; it does not address other means of acquiring tools
30.Increasing penaltiesImposes harsh punishments on offendersPunitive environments increase the incidence of vandalism; reporting is inconsistent, and apprehension rates are low; most acts of vandalism are minor and do not warrant severe penalties
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