07/01/11
Combating Vandalism in Public Parks

Public parks face an ongoing bombardment of issues to combat from drugs to vandalism. On average, 10% of a recreational program's budget is due to vandalism. Also, studies have shown that an average of 9,500 person-hours per year is devoted to dealing with vandalism, which equates to five-full-time employees.

Studies have found that 60% of vandalism is directed at facilities, 30% at the environment and 10% at property. Studies also show that vandalism toward the environment is committed by adults and vandalism toward facilities is committed by minors. Vandalism typically occurs because of boredom, anger, revenge, defiance and/or alliance. Some see it as a form of recreation.

Types of Vandalism
If you understand vandalism, you can help prevent it. The following are some forms of vandalism and why they occur.

Adventure Vandalism: This type of vandalism results in theft such as stealing a flag from a flag pole or property damage from an accident. Participants are often goaded by friends for excitement.

Conflict Vandalism or Inventive Vandalism: This occurs when a facility or property is used in a manner for which it is not intended. For example, when a picnic table plank is used as a springboard for diving into a river.

Curiosity Vandalism: This results from irresistible temptation or lack of personal discipline, such as pulling bark off a tree.

Overuse Vandalism: This type of vandalism is the result of too many people using a property or facility, such as the destruction of grass on a playing field.

Malevolent Vandalism: This occurs when a person feels mistreated and wants to get back at society by defacing a park sign or breaking a window.

Design Vandalism: This occurs when people have to adapt to a facility that does not meet the users' needs, such as sitting on a fence because there is no bench or leaning a bicycle against a tree because there is no bike rack.

Slovenly Vandalism: Littering is an example, which includes bad manners and carelessness. Even though it is the least destructive; it is the most costly.

Self-Expression Vandalism: Graffiti is an example, which is the most common type of vandalism. Graffiti vandals believe their actions harm no one; however, the reality is graffiti hurts everyone. Those who practice it risk personal injury, violence and arrest. "Graffiti generates the perception of blight and heightens the fear of gang activity," reports the Department of Justice.

One of the best ways to prevent vandalism is to keep the site clean and neat. If facilities have been solidly built and thought is given to their longevity, vandalism is reduced. The more deteriorated a facility becomes; the more likely it is to be vandalized. The most obvious effort is the reduction of litter. People are less likely to vandalize something that is well-maintained or supervised. By paying special attention to small matters that maintain a sense of someone being in charge, you reduce people's temptation to break any law.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, here are some ways to prevent vandalism:

• As soon as it happens, clean it up. Replace signs, repair playground equipment, paint over graffiti, etc.
• Educate the public about the cost of vandalism. Conduct a community meeting to discuss its victims, costs and solutions.
• Provide youth with recreational programs to constructively occupy them.
• Have community groups adopt a street or park. They can raise money for equipment and also help protect it.
• Ask the police or another agency to initiate a hotline for reporting vandalism
• Involve the energy of youth. Tap into their idealism to help with your vandalism prevention efforts. Have areas that are vulnerable to graffiti, painted with murals by schools or the arts communities. People will protect their community if they have a stake in it.