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Vandalism can be distressing and difficult to get rid of. It is seen as a serious offense that is punishable for students by suspension and even expulsion. In all cases the property that is defaced is to be replaced. Payment for any damage is expected in addition to whatever punishment is given out.
According to the Educational Code, a student can have their grades, diplomas and transcripts withheld in addition to being suspended or expelled. The Civil Code holds parents of minors liable for any unlawful damaging or theft of district-owned and personal property. The Penal Code offers a reward for anyone who reports any incidents of vandalism or graffiti. According to the Criminal Damage Act of 1971 one can be prosecuted for vandalizing private property. It is difficult to prosecute vandals because a witness is necessary and it is hard to catch a person in the act. Individuals are often afraid of retaliation (the vandal getting back at them) so they ignore the crime.
Clean Up Your Community
Report vandalism immediately to a patrol officer of graffiti detective in your neighborhood (if it is not seen, that defeats the purpose)
Institute recreational programs to keep adolescents occupied
Remove graffiti and trash immediately (if they know someone is watching that area, they are not likely to come back)
Neighborhood watch
Buildings with textured or diagonal walls, protrusions (difficult to tag)
Liven up the environment with color, music, plants, and architectural design
Surveillance (TV monitored public places, infrared detectors to notify presence of person in certain areas)
Prevent Vandalism in the Schools
Install loss prevention programs
Security
Secure cooperation of law enforcement and courts
Offer rewards for apprehending vandals
Hold parents of juveniles responsible
Police liaison program (form an alliance with law officials, staff and students)
Counsel at-risk students
Establish a zero-tolerance policy (a single violation results in punishment)
Some Solutions to Builders
Make windowsills steep
Use cheap paint so you will not mind frequent repainting
Gravestones should be bedded in cement
Use ceramic tile or mosaic walls
Ribbed aluminum panels, stone and brick are difficult to paint
Prickly plants are less likely to be uprooted
Conceal pipework
Identify Taggers
If you witness the same designs and drawings in your child’s room that you see around the neighborhood, you may want to ask them about it. They fit a particular profile but this is not to say that a person with any of these practices is necessarily an offender. Typical profile:
Out late at night or very early in the morning
Carry a backpack or wear baggy clothes (to carry supplies)
Paint stained clothing
12-18 years old
Carries tools used for etching glass (screwdrivers, rocks, glass cutters, awls, metal scribes)
Practices ink making
Buys a lot of shoe polish, markers, and spray paint
Have paint on hands and under finger nails
Collect cartoon-like art (Piece book)
Mark shoes, notebooks, hats with their nicknames
Safeguard Against Fly Posting
This is prevalent in urban areas although not confined to it. Oftentimes people will make up stickers that say ‘cancelled’ and place that over an upcoming event being posted or ‘not available’ over a product being advertised so that nobody will attend the event or buy the product being promoted.
Release Pressure and Enjoy Inner Freedom
People need personal space in order to remain an individual, disconnected from public beliefs and influence. Having regular discussions with family members and expressing one’s thoughts is replaced today with television. The media is continually imposing views on their audience with commercials, politics, and talk shows. There is no need to find an outlet for philosophical thinking or scientific exploration because our modern, technological society makes artistic expression like music, poetry, and literature so obtainable.
Why People Vandalize
An individual who feels suffocated and oppressed, but fail to have the proper coping mechanisms, graffiti can be a way to get feelings out in the open. Another reason can be unity with peer groups that share the same beliefs or interests. Tagging is a way that some people choose to present their identity. One way to do this legally is to join an aerosol art group. They explore new arenas such as commercial art or print media. Legal ways of presenting their gift and diversifying their talents allow graffiti art to be enjoyed by the community, instead of repressed by laws.
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