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  Playspace Builder Support Network  Building Playspaces  vandalism laws...
 vandalism laws
 
imgOfflinemerrywbee
121 posts
3rd
Joined
11/8/2006



vandalism laws
Posted: 31 May 07 12:22 PM

Does anyone know if KaBOOM or any other groups are working to tighten up the laws on playground vandalism?  In my district yesterday, a preschool playground was burned.  When I mentioned it to a mom of one of the students, she was very upset obviously and she said "you know, that's a HATE crime!", and I thought, in a way, she's right... vandalism is one thing, but when you specifically destroy a playground, you know the impact you are having on the children that use it, particularly when it is at a school, and so I thought it would be worth a discussion here--what can we do to have our state legislators give stiffer penalties for this crime... I wonder if putting up signs posting the penalty on the fences near these playgrounds would have any effect at deterring vandalism?  Any experiences/ideas??

 

imgOfflinerandi
36 posts
5th
Joined
1/23/2007



Re: vandalism laws
Posted: 31 May 07 1:21 PM
While I don't know how severe your problem is, we've got ongoing vandalism at our schools and in our play spaces.  I wouldn't classify it has a hate crime but I would advocate for stiffer penalties for vandalizing any school property and posting signs stating it's against the law, what the exact law is and potential penalties is a good idea.  You can change local laws quicker than state laws and I would go that route first.  Remember, your school district is a local entity with a local school board.  Your city or county is a lot easier to lobby for enhance protection of school property.  Also, I would begin a campaign with the kids...get a resaurant to donate paper place mats, dig out the color crayons and ask them to get their feelings on paper or have them write about it if they are old enough.  It will be the beginnings of your campaign to rebuild, it will gather much public support and give you long term visibility.  Make the rebuild a school project and put it in the curriculum.  It will also provide peer pressure because vandals are usually not grown ups.  You might be able to apply for victim of crime funds for beginning your fundraising drive.  And as part of this, you might want to look at adding camera monitors (real and fake) to the school.  They won't know which ones are real and security cameras are a great deterrent to future crimes.  We've had local schools lose playgrounds and entire buildings, so I know what a shock it can be.  Good luck.
  Playspace Builder Support Network  Building Playspaces  vandalism laws...