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Vandalism is a criminal act
against property -- but when it's your property being damaged, it affects on a personal
level. You feel violated, and wonder how such a thing could have happened to you.
While vandalism hurts -- and more than just in the pocketbook -- there are ways
that you can preventing vandalism. Like other crimes against property and people,
the first step to preventing vandalism is understanding the crime.
When Does Vandalism Happen?
Vandalism can happen at any time of the day or night and in any season, but it most
often occurs:
- in the evening during summer and fall
- on weekday evenings
Vandalism has a tendency to decline during winter months when
individuals spend less time outside and on Saturdays and Sundays when public buildings and
open spaces are under greater scrutiny.
Vandalism occurs most often at night, when
fewer people are around and property isn't under as much scrutiny. Like most crime,
a vandal's greatest threats are the Three Natural Enemies of Crime:
If a criminal has a good chance of being
seen, has a high chance of being heard while commiting the act, or has little time to
vandalize property and get away, there is less chance that vandalism will take place.
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Where Does Vandalism Happen?
Vandalism happens everywhere, but most often occurs
where the vandal has little chance of being seen. Most often, it
occurs:
- where building design and lighting offers concealment and anonymity
- in areas frequented by young people such as schools, parks, shopping
plazas and public buildings
- in unoccupied buildings, open spaces or parked vehicles where minimum
surveillance is given to property
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What is Vandalism?
Vandalism -- the wilful damaging or defacing of property
belonging to another person or to the public -- is covered under Section 430 of
the Criminal Code of Canada dealing with "mischief" and "wilful
damage." Committing an act of vandalism is a criminal offence.
Section 430(1) states: "Everyone commits mischief who wilfully (a)
destroys or damages property, (b) renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or
ineffective, (c) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or
operation of property, or (d) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with any person in the
lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property."
Those who commit mischief in relation to private property may be found
guilty of an indictable offence and are liable to imprisonment for five years, or of an
offence punishable on summary conviction; and those committing mischief in relation to
public property may be found guilty of an indictable offence and are liable to
imprisonment for 14 years, or of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Everyone who commits mischief that causes actual danger to life may be found guilty of an
indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
If the conditions surrounding the offences dealing with public and
private property are of a sufficiently serious nature, the prosecution may elect to
proceed by way of indictment rather than summary conviction.
Furthermore, a court that convicts an accused of an indictable offence
may, upon application of an aggrieved person, at the time sentence is imposed, order that
the accused pay an amound to satisfy or compensate for the loss or damage to property
suffered by the applicant as a result of the commission of the offence.
Is Vandalism A Serious
Problem?
People who own property that is damaged or destroyed by vandals usually see red -- red
rage and red ink. The costs of this wanton destruction are high -- variously
estimated at close to $100 million a year in Canada at present.
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ABOVE: The same
"tagger" commits vandalism at various business
locations across St. Catharines
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Should You Care?
Experts in the area agree vandalism is a symptom; its presence in a community reflects
an attitude of certain people. If enough people are aware of the problem the
incident rate will decline.
Your taxes and purchases pay for damages caused by vandalism.
Because of these costs many public sector educational and recreational programs and
other services must be curtailed to absorb these costs. The private businessperson
must simply raise prices.
Given the amount of damage, personal inconvenience and injury associated
with vandalism, you should care. You're affected. You can help!
What Can I Do?
- Become aware of the costs -- dollars and otherwise. Community
attitudes will change as individuals attitudes change. Set a good example for your
friends and family.
- Discourage those you see about to damage something. It's the small things
that count!
- Clean up your property -- debris can be tools for vandals.
- Where you have had problems in the past, consider improved lighting and / or
security devices.
- Co-operate with the Police, Civic Agencies, and your School Board -- report
cases you have witnessed!
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Agenda
