This book is an examination of how vandalism is being approached through research, law enforcement, education, design, understanding human behavior, innovative ideas, and integrated programs. An introductory section provides theoretical and empirical perspectives on vandalism. Chapters describe the role of research in designing against vandalism, psycho-social definitions, and new orientations toward depreciative behavior. Empirical studies of an urban youth subculture, characteristics of (railhead vandalism, effectiveness of trailside sign texts, and a brochure on reducing vandalism are presented. Another section provides perspectives on vandalism policy and prevention by urban managers, including responses by transit agencies in two major metropolitan areas and responses by various communities toward graffiti and other forms of vandalism. Other chapters deal with preventing vandalism to archeological and recreational sites. Coverage includes rock art vandalism and cultural resource site protection on public and Indian lands Concluding chapters discuss indirect management to protect cultural and natural resources and vandalism in rapidly developing rural areas as influenced by the changing meaning of property access.Keywords: Vandalism, research, social policy, prevention, archeology, cultural resources, depreciative behavior.
FOREWORDThe first International Symposium on Vandalism in North America was held April 20-22,1988, in Seattle, Washington, the purpose of the symposium was to encourage and stimulate the exchange of ideas, solutions to problems, and descriptions of research needs by bringing together managers; researchers; educators; people in law enforcement; criminal justice, and crime prevention; business leaders; lawmakers, and other public officials; environmental advocates; designers; and the public. Reflecting the worldwide nature of this problem, the Seattle symposium built on the 1982 International Colloquium on Vandalism held in Paris and the regional conferences held in Seattle in 1977 and1982. More than 200 participants from the United States, Canada, and Europe attended the 2-day symposium. Subjects presented ranged from public transportation issues and urban landscapes to vandalism targeted toward archeological resources and park and recreation settings.Vandalism is damaging and costly. Private and public targets include apartment buildings, condominiums, and single-family residences, construction sites and equipment, parks, forests, and refuges, public transportation, schools and playgrounds, industries and manufacturing plants, airports, bus and train depots, and archeological and historic sites.The objectives of the symposium were to:• Describe the nature and extent of vandalism in various settings;• Describe the current state of research on vandalism, focusing on definitions, theories, methodologies, and social policy;• Examine enforcement practices and development of laws to combat vandalism;• Share successful and innovative programs and management techniques to mitigate vandalism;• Ide...