Public or private, K-12, college or university, no one knows their facilities better than school maintenance and operations staff--from the front-line custodians to facility managers. When it comes to planning restrooms for new construction and renovation, operational experience is especially critical. Applying best practices in advance can save…

New Jersey's state board of education formed a task force in 1978 to conduct a six-month study of the effectiveness of various strategies for reducing violence and vandalism in the schools. The forty-seven recommendations developed by the task force were of three types: those designed to improve state-level capabilities (areas addressed included…

"Helping Hand" programs involve the physical identification of stores, homes, restaurants and other establishments to which children on their way to and from school may go for assistance and/or safety. Identification cards are placed in windows of cooperating establishments and homes. In some communities home owners "watch the…

Following a costly and destructive fire, Franklin Elementary School in Newark (New Jersey) developed an action plan for reducing violence and vandalism. The plan called for ongoing cooperation between all segments of the school population and of the local, largely Hispanic, community. Security measures were strengthened, but the thrust of the…

This guidebook offers school administrators a number of tested approaches to solving security problems that plague most school districts today. It suggests that establishing a program is the most effective way to take control of events and attempt to prevent as well as limit the effects of criminal acts in schools. The topics covered include…

Despite the reports of violence in schools, the vast majority of America's schools are safe places. Nevertheless, students, teachers, and parents have real fears about school crime and violence problems. This report is a guide to combat these fears and problems. The report presents an updated description of the nature and extent of crime and…

A humanistic program implemented in a suburban Kansas City school district helped educators deal with the problems of absenteeism, poor motivation, lack of discipline, vandalism, tardiness, and drug use. The model is being looked at by many school districts throughout the United States. (RM)

A defective alarm system was modified with circuitry and added components. The final design was a joint effort between engineers and security professionals. (Author/MLF)

A Duke University (North Carolina) student witnessing vandalism to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) World Wide Web site and a University of Massachusetts, Amherst student, both studying computer science, have contributed substantially to the identification of a computer hacker destroying the NCAA site. The students' rapid…

Campus vandalism has become extremely costly for colleges and universities. Most vandalism occurs on weekends and during special events and is committed by both students and outsiders. Its results affect the entire campus community, either immediately or in increased costs. Successful preventive measures include penalties, police patrols, and good…

Discusses planning techniques that help reduce washroom vandalism and also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Guidelines for washroom accessories are highlighted, and accessory mounting and location tips are explored. Suggests use of heavy-duty installation configurations in combination with institutional hardware and…

Describing a 1978 demonstration program of the school board of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this paper lists strategies developed by the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Program. The two basic aims of the program were to reduce opportunities for crime created by school building structure and the layout of school grounds…

One South Bronx (New York) school is untouched by vandalism because the teachers have made a commitment to the school and its students, expressing their concern and approval. The extensive costs of vandalism in other schools could be reduced if teachers were trained to develop positive school climates. (PGD)

One high school's implementation of policies that alleviated the "symptoms" of chronic smoking and some use of drugs and alcohol on school property, chronic truancy from selected classes, and chronic schedule changes is summarized, and efforts toward a lasting resolution of underlying problems in the areas of curriculum and instruction are…

The problem of violence and vandalism in schools is presented, and a number of promising programs that appear to be effective in reducing violence are outlined. (JMF)