Preventing Vandalism

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Abstract

This guide is designed to encourage retailers to partner with local law enforcement to prevent vandalism occurring in and around their properties. The guide walks readers through the process of understanding the nature of their local vandalism problem, collecting and analyzing data, identifying potential strategies to reduce vandalism, and measuring the impact of those strategies. Promising strategies to reduce vandalism are described, including: monitoring vandalism prone areas; using graffiti resistant paint; and applying protective film to glass surfaces to minimize acid damage. This guide is one in a series of six crime prevention publications that describe how public/private partnerships can reduce crime.

Understanding Vandalism

Defi nitions of vandalism vary by jurisdiction. In general, vandalism is willful or malicious damage to property, such as equipment or buildings. Vandalism is often associated with other signs of social disorder, such as disturbing the peace and trespassing. See the Safe City guide “Preventing Public Disorder” for more information. Furthermore, vandalism incidents are burdensome to businesses by generating costs associated with repairs and cleaning, which the victims are often left to cover themselves.

Vandalism Patterns

Vandalism is not senseless property damage. Individuals vandalize for a variety of reasons including: to convey a message, to express frustration, to stake revenge, to make money, or as part of a game. Perpetrators may work alone or as members of a loose or organized group.

TIME. Much vandalism is done in the late evening hours when businesses and surrounding property have little or no surveillance. After-school hours are also common, particularly for juvenile vandals.

LOCATION. The most frequent targets of vandalism are those located in public spaces, or those on private properties that are open to public view. Properties where no one has direct responsibility for the area, or those that seem less well guarded, are also frequent targets of vandalism or graffi ti. Not surprisingly, vandalism is commonly found on trains, buses, bus shelters or stations, traffi c signs, sides of freeways, park benches, billboards, vacant buildings, schools, or other large, plain, light-colored surfaces. Businesses located near city downtowns, high traffi c areas, or concentrations of low-income residents are particularly vulnerable to vandalism. Like other crimes, a building that has been vandalized once is likely to be vandalized again.

TYPES. Vandalism includes graffi ti, trash dumping, light smashing, removing/bending signage or ornamentation, breaking windows, or other defacing of property. Graffi ti is a pervasive type of vandalism experienced by retailers and commercial property owners. Graffi ti vandals use a variety of instruments to tag or mark property including, spray paint, broad-tipped markers, metal objects, etching pens, or shoe polish bottles. Vandals use etching pens and shoe polish bottles to mark surfaces with acid. Acid graffi ti (acid etching) permanently damages glass and metal surfaces and is extremely harmful for those that come in contact with it.

(End of excerpt. The entire guide is available in PDF format.)

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

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