The director of security for the Aurora Public Schools tells how the department he built has cut crime. (Author/MLF)

A program for reducing school vandalism must combine supervision by staff, constructive punishment for those involved in vandalism, and the development of student and staff pride in the school through extensive involvement of students. (MJL)

This guide addresses school vandalism and break-ins, describing the problem and reviewing the risk factors. It also discusses the associated problems of school burglaries and arson. The guide then identifies a series of questions to help analyze each local problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem, and what is known about them from…

Fort Wayne Community Schools (Indiana) reduced vandalism costs from $22,450 a year to $550. Buildings are outfitted with a variety of intruder detection devices connected to a central monitoring station. (Author)

Examines cost figures for property insurance, vandalism contingency, and security. (Author)

Vandalism prevention methods cited by school administrators and a city park director include a silent audio surveillance system; school visits at unscheduled times by a principal dwelling nearby; and prompt repair of broken equipment. Available from the American Association of School Administrators, 1801 North Moore Street, Arlington, VA 22209.…

Describes the security system used by Schaumburg Township (Illinois) Community Consolidated School District to reduce vandalism. The system includes "master key control" to restrict access to keys, an after-hours alarm system, guidelines for community use of buildings, protective community attitudes, and full prosecution of vandals. (RW)

Three principles govern school security management: shared responsibility, prompt reporting, and proper planning. Specific strategies, called target-hardening strategies, exist to make schools safer places. This article offers several target-hardening techniques for protecting students, personnel, and property. (AN)

The National Council of School Security Administrators lists the advantages and pitfalls of certain alarm systems and policies. (Author/MLF)

Discusses how vulnerable lockers are to vandalism and thieves, offering examples from various athletic facilities of both forcible and "light-fingered" theft. (EV)

Published by Security World Publishing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 272, Culver City, CA 90230.

Published by Security World Publishing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 272, Culver City, CA 90230.

This report indicates that while school security systems should be tailored to the school system's specific needs and problems, most must take cognizance of the following concerns: (1) evaluation of current security arrangements; (2) degree of dependence upon local law enforcement bodies; (3) management of the school system; (4) analysis of school…

Measures taken by a Catholic high school decreased both vandalism occurring during school hours and vandalism occurring when the school was unoccupied. Among tactics used were increased monitoring by teachers, greater emphasis on the value of respect for others and for property, and installation of an extensive alarm system. (MJL)

The only security system that will work in today's school requires total involvement of all school personnel. Guards should be well-trained and a security alarm designed, installed, and maintained. (Author/MLF)