Vandalism Prevention Programs Used in Ontario Schools.

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all school principals in Ontario asking them to indicate which of 55 vandalism prevention measures they had used; how effective each had been in reducing vandalism; the cost of vandalism during 1978; whether they have an alarm system and a vandalism-reporting system; and what community groups the school has involved in vandalism prevention measures. Among the most-used and most effective measures, according to the 3025 respondents, were providing adequate teacher supervision in hallways and lunch rooms, and keeping schools clean and attractive. One of the most effective measures, in the opinion of the principals, was installing an alarm system, although over one-third of the principals reported they already had one. The findings are discussed in terms of which measures are most effective, the cost of school vandalism, and how to use the findings. The need for developing more behavioral programs and better cost-reporting systems, and ways of utilizing the results of the study are outlined. (Author/MLF)