Vandalism - WHY!?!

In all the years I’ve lived in this valley, I’ve seen many examples of vandalism–obscene words and pictures spray painted on the bridge, written on walls at the hot pool or a public bathroom are fairly common. Slashed tires and broken windows have also been reported by local folks. The most recent occurrence I know of is at the ice rink on Veterans Island.

The ice rink that was so generously given to the community by the Kiwanis was damaged over the Thanksgiving holiday by vandals. Although the gates that lead into the skate park where the ice rink is located, were locked, the individual(s) were able to gain access through a hole in the fence. The rink had only been filled for a few days so there were areas that still had standing water. The vandals threw a sand bag on to the ice which was then embedded in the ice where it froze solid. The ice was damaged throughout the rink due to them walking on the areas that were not frozen solid.

Volunteers Cindy and Steve Carnes and Barb Youngberg spent several hours repairing the damage and cleaning up the mess.

When things like this happen, we ask ourselves, why? Was it an act of vengeance, boredom or perhaps defiance? What motivates someone to destroy or damage something that does not belong to them?

Some would say that it’s because kids have too much leisure time and aren’t supervised enough. I suppose if it’s vandalism such as the ice rink experienced, this may be true.

Peer pressure can be highly motivating to an adolescent. How many of us have heard “I dare you” from a friend or sibling and had to consider the repercussions for following through with that dare. Not that all dares are destructive or deface property, but it does happen. According to statistics, few vandals act alone.

Some vandalism happens by accident, while playing or rough housing. A baseball through a window or a dent to a car door are not deliberate but, often as not, the guilty party doesn’t hang around to ‘fess’ up either.

Carrie Underwood’s song, “Before He Cheats” is a good example of vandalism for retribution. Anger can certainly make a person feel the need to act out in a destructive manner.

Do all vandals premeditate their deeds? Doubtful. The opportunity may just present itself and the vandal acts on it.

Some vandalism is a prank. Writing on a windshield with soap is annoying, but not destructive, unless it’s a threating phrase.

Defacement or destruction of property is also a way to vent anger, frustration or anxiety without a face to face confrontation. Negative feelings build up over time and an individual may not have the tools to confront these feelings so they manifest in a physical manner, vandalism.

Studies show that the majority of vandalism is carried out by males. It usually reaches it’s peak around the age of 16 and almost always involves alcohol.

This isn’t to say there aren’t adult vandals, because there are. Studies show that these individuals are, to a large extent, single, poorly educated and unemployable. The majority of vandalism carried out by adults is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and generally alone.

How do we measure the cost of vandalism? In the case of the ice rink, it cost a few hours of time to clean up.

The measure of the loss isn’t always tangible.

The detriment to a person’s feelings or psyche when something they own has been vandalized is hard to measure. There is a perception of the loss of peace of mind, security and contentment.

It’s hard to imagine what provokes someone to do such a thing. It is disrespectful and selfish.

Sadly, vandalism is on the rise everywhere. I don’t believe that is a reason to give up.

We all hope for a better society, for less destructive people. We hope to bring kindness and love to those around us, focus on the good and give encouragement to lift up those who are in need.