07-28-88 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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page 6 Keeping Up • Internat,onaI Symposium ium on • More subtle motivation —Errosive Vandalism—something done by one person which Vandalism seems innocent but destructive done by many —Tactical Vandalism—leaving a message Sponsored by U.S.FS.and University of Washington —Territorial Vandalism—signifying ownership (kilroy was here, April 20-22, 1988 etc.) by Ron Taylor —Acquisitive Vandalism—collect items,i.e.tree limbs for hot dog roasting,taking artifacts,picking flowers,etc. The symposium was well attended by over 200 people. The problem of vandalism was applied to many more resources than Prevention/Reduction/Control: parks,i.e.archaeological sites,school,transit facilities,traffic signs, • Education—change attitudes and behavioral patterns. bridges and public facilities.The causes and prevention of vandalism —SCHOOLS—Start education in early grades.Washington D.C. transcend all of the "target" or victim areas. Also,vandalism is a transit has a school program featuring Mr.McGruff talking to universal problem not unique to the United States—France considers lasses,at contests,etc.goal to get kids to feel the buses belong it a social problem h racteristics of vandalism also to them because they pay fare,taxes. Program has met with equal to drugs.Characteristics seem quite similar between various countries. considerable success; drop in vandalism attributed to the The following are excerpts from my notes of those sessions program. attended: —MEDIA—Appeal to youth through television programs justifying reasons for not vandalizing;project good feelings for not van- Definition:- eliminate N through pressure to dalizing. Also, encourage Vandalism was defined as an unauthorized, deliberate action advertising and programs that glorify vandalism.Inform via TV resulting in damage to property of value not belonging to the news(periodic but often)the effects of vandalism especially in offender from which the offender receives no monetary or material terms of wastes(man hours spent,materials used,dollars spent benefit. to repair and also the possible danger to lives) • Recreation/Interpretation Characteristics: —Re-direct youth interests and time to more positive outlets for • Behavior irrational and without meaning to anyone other than the expression. offender(s);often not purposeful or planned. —Give recognition and awards for good behavior. • Vandalism is performed predominantly byyoung males largely 13 —Get more local youth involvement in designing and constructing -23 years of age(70%under 20 years)usually in groups rather than park facilities. by individuals. —Use interpretive signs and programs to personalize facilities. . Ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds seem to make little —Charge user fees. difference. • Design • Vandalism is often the lead or seed activity to other more serious —"Target hardening"design for resistance to vandalism crimes for the individual(s)involved. —"Deopportunize" design—try to eliminate facilities easy to • Offenders often have unhealthy attitudes toward society and vandalize,i.e.smooth flat concrete surfaces. about themselves. —Naturalize design—make more aesthetically pleasing. Try to • A predominance of offenders come from unstable family evoke feeling of warmth and that the design conveys a message relationships. of caring. • Vandalism generally on the increase particularly in areas where no —Use lower case letters on signs—less fatiguing to read. prevention programs exist;urban and rural both affected. —Eliminate frustrations—too many signs/encourage activities not • According to a Seattle study up to nearly 90% of Seattle youth available or too difficult/don't"bait and substitute"users. have been involved in some type of vandalism. —Get youth involved in design process. • Vandalism is a social group activity for youth;80%-90%done in —Design for visibility,access and control. groups. • Surveillance/Enforcement/Community Involvement —Give vandals opportunity for restitution when caught. Motivation: —Provide work projects in parks for youth on local basis—idea of • Man has a basic need for identification and self-expression either personalizing. creative(positive)or destructive. —Reward programs supported by posters,contests,etc.,giving • Group motivation makes activity rational to offender(s). awards for reporting vandalism(questionable effectiveness). —Fun/pleasure/excitement/challenge/prestige —Coordinate preventative efforts of victim agencies. —Social relationship-togetherness —Youth anti-vandalism patrol—City of Bellevue very effective/ —Antagonism—originates from conflict coordinated with Boy Scouts of America-Explorer (police —Defiance against authority—breakdown of respect cadets). —Vengeance—just getting even/change someone else's behavior —Adopt-A-Park programs such as Seattle/Neighborhood Watch —Malicious—annoy someone programs. —Abstract activity —Make facilities visible and accessible. —Individual stimulating excitement in group • Maintenance • Most vandalism is a combination of motives. —Keep continual high quality maintenance program. • Most damaging is group related with antagonistic motivation. —Project a caring attitude for the facility. • Motivation by age group(study in Netherlands) —Repair damage immediately—is effective as shown by —8-12 years,anger or vindictiveness Washington,D.C.Metro bus seat repair example. • —12-16 years,status/prestige —Remove objects of frustration—invite to use but don't permit. —17-23 years,need for action/boredom —Reduce negative signing. Reprinted with permission from Washington Recreation and Park Association's monthly publication.