Why Are Schools Vulnerable to Vandals and How Can You Protect Them?
Many places are vulnerable to vandals and break-ins. This includes building sites, utilities buildings and empty properties. These places are often away from inhabited areas and spend long periods of time without occupancy. This is why it is important to invest in site security to protect assets.
Although schools are also vulnerable to vandals and break-ins the factors underlying these acts can differ from other vulnerable premises.
Why Does School Vandalism Occur?
For many students schooling can be a very difficult and stressful period in life. Schools can sometimes become a focal point for negativity and this can lead to some sections of society targeting them. Many schools are targeted by current or past students. Statistics show that those most likely to vandalise schools are young males acting in small groups.
It is common for these vandals to have poor schooling records with instances of truancy, suspension or expulsion. Vandalism is often a form of acting out in young males and schools can become a focal point for negative feelings and behaviour. In most cases this results in ‘nuisance vandalism’. This is when vandals gain access to the school grounds and properties and carry out minor damage. In most cases no serious damage is done and nothing of value is taken.
To many this type of minor vandalism may seem pointless. However peer pressure can be a very powerful motivator. Minor vandalism is not viewed in a negative light in young peer groups. Schools vandals will not generally be condemned by other school students and in fact some may secretly admire the daring of these vandals. Participating in minor vandalism on schools can be a way for youths to maintain or even elevate their status within a small peer group. This comes with little risk (as opposed to physical fighting) and so can be seen as an easy and accessible way to improve status.
More Serious Crimes
Schools are not immune from more serious break-ins though. These types of properties can be left unoccupied for long periods of time out of school hours. This means they can be vulnerable to a range of potential crimes:
• Acquisitive Vandalism - these break-ins are motivated by a desire to obtain money or equipment. Modern schools are required to stock a large amount of technology such as laptops and computers these days. This means that technology and IT departments can be targets for criminals looking to steal and sell on equipment. This type of break-in can be very costly for schools in terms of damage and loss of equipment.
• Tactical or Vindictive Vandalism – this is frequently achieved through the means of arson. Tactical vandalism occurs when a youth deliberately causes damage to try and get the school to close. Vindictive vandalism occurs when a youth tries to get revenge on teachers by damaging the school.
Protecting Your Site
You can combine a range of security options into wireless security systems including motion detection cameras, silent alarms, mobile patrols and more. These all work hard to offer school and building site security solutions that protects against and prevents crime.
Whether you run a school or a building site you can use wireless security systems to protect your assets. These advanced systems offer remote control over who is accessing your building and when and provides effective school and building site security.Security is paramount, whatever industry you are in. However, some industries require heightened protection and that is why building site security is highly sought after. Grant Thomas has been a frequent contributor for Tag Systems and has written many articles pertaining to all things regarding construction and building site security especially on such subjects as the prevention of copper theft and the provision of specialist security solutions. For more details visit http://www.tag-guard.com/security-solutions/building-site-security-systems/ and http://www.tag-guard.com
