The best way to be knowledgeable about a concept is to dig deep into the idea behind its existence and that’s what this article is designed to do. Mark Theoharis defines vandalism as “the willful destruction or damaging of property in a manner that defaces, mars, or otherwise adds a physical blemish that diminishes the property’s value.” This definition is so apt and gives great insight why the term connotes negativity anywhere it is made use of. ‘Willful destruction’ as used in the definition shows that vandalism is an intentional action meant to undermine the value of a given property. When people are intentionally set out to do evil against the property of an individual or government, they are referred to as vandals. In 455 A.D., a group of Germanic tribesmen invaded the Roman Empire and sacked the city of Rome itself. Their burning and pillaging were so complete that the tribe’s reputation was sealed for all of history as synonymous with their act of destruction. The tribe was called the Vandals, and to this day vandalism is a crime in every country of the world (Theoharis, 2019).
Find Law, a media outlet in its contribution to the subject matter, states that “Vandalism is an offense that occurs when a person destroys or defaces someone else’s property without permission. Effects of vandalism can include broken windows, graffiti, damage to vehicles, and even damage or destruction of a person’s website. The results of vandalism may be found on billboards, street signs, and building structures, as well as near bus stops, tunnels, cemeteries, and many other public spaces.” The Oxford English Dictionary gives a simple description of the term as “action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.” This buttresses the previous definitions given. When an act of vandalism is mentioned, there is nothing like it was done mistakenly and this is why every nation regards it as an offence.
Vandalism is a broad category crime that is used to describe a variety of behaviors. Generally, it includes any willful behavior aimed at destroying, altering, or defacing property belonging to another, which can include, among other things:
• Spray painting another’s property with the purpose of defacing;
• “Egging” someone’s car or window;
• Keying (or scratching) paint off of someone’s car;
• Breaking someone’s windows;
• Defacing public property with graffiti and other forms of “art”;
• Slashing someone’s tires;
• Defacing park benches;
• Altering or knocking down street signs; and
• Kicking and damaging someone’s property with your hands or feet (Find Law, 2019).
From the foregoing, it can be discovered that there are three elements of vandalism. That is, those three features must be seen in an action before such an action can be regarded as being an act of vandalism. These elements are briefly explained below:
Physical damage: As explained earlier, vandalism covers such acts as graffiti, “tagging,” carving, etching, and other forms of damage that, though often permanent, are not so serious that they destroy the property or prevent it from functioning properly. Placing stickers, posters, signs, or other markers on property can also constitute physical damage (Theoharis, 2019).
Property owned by another person: The property you damage must be owned or possessed by someone else, and you must damage it against the owner’s wishes. You cannot, for example, commit vandalism by covering your own fence in graffiti or by adding bumper stickers to a car after receiving permission from the owner.
Done intentionally: Without mincing words, you cannot accidentally commit vandalism. For example, if you’re painting your house and accidentally spill some paint on your neighbor’s fence, you have not vandalized the property. (However, you’d still be legally obligated to pay for repairs to the fence.) To commit the crime of vandalism, you must damage the property on purpose. Every logical evidence must point to the fact that it was purposefully damaged (Theoharis, 2019).
Once all these three elements are constant in an accusation, then such accusation is valid and can be legally pursued.
Looking at the motives behind vandalism, some of the actions can be alludedto anger or envy, or to spontaneous, opportunistic behavior– possibly for peer acceptance or bravado in gangcultures, or disgruntlement with the target (victim) person or society. Opportunistic vandalism of this nature may also be filmed, the mentality of which can be akin to happy slapping. The large-scale prevalence of gang graffiti in some inner cities around the world has almost made it acceptable to the societies based there– so much so that it may go unnoticed, or not be removed, possibly because it may be a fruitless endeavor, to be graffitied on once again. Greed can motivate vandalism as can some political ideologies, wish to draw attention to problems, frustration, even playfulness. Youngsters, the most common vandals, frequently experience low status and boredom. Vandalism enables powerless people to attack those above them, take control and frighten others. Unpunished vandalism can provide relief which reinforces the behavior. Vandalism by one person can lead to imitation. Teenage boys and men in their 20s are most likely to vandalize, but older adults and females are also known to sometimes vandalize, with young children occasionally vandalizing, but in a much smaller form, such as making small crayon drawings on walls (Fuellgrabe, 1980).
Criminological research into vandalism has found that it serves many purposes for those who engage in it and stems from a variety of motives. Sociologist Stanley Cohen describes seven different types of vandalism:
1. Acquisitive vandalism (looting and petty theft).
2. Peer pressure – Teenagers spend more time away from home with peers whether they act constructively or destructively can depend on the contacts they make. Disobeying authority can appear cool.
3. Tactical vandalism (to advance some end other than acquiring money or property – such as breaking a window to be arrested and get a bed for the night in a police cell).
4. Ideological vandalism (carried out to further an explicit ideological cause or deliver a message).
5. Vindictive vandalism (for revenge).
6. Play vandalism (damage resulting from children’s games) (Cohen, 1973).
7. Malicious vandalism (damage caused by a violent outpouring of diffuse frustration and rage that often occurs in public settings). Cohen’s original typology was improved upon by Mike Sutton whose research led him to add a seventh sub-type of vandalism – Peer Status Motivated Vandalism (Mike, 1987).
References
Fuellgrabe, U (1980). Psychological Analysis of Vandalism. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=70758
Mike, S (1987) Differential Rates of Vandalism in a New Town: Towards A Theory of Relative Place. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Central Lancashire.
Theoharis, M (2019). Vandalism: Crimes and Penalties. Retrieved from https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/crime-penalties/federal/Vandalism.htm
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