Cameras among the measures credited for drop in vandalism

By Diane Strandberg The Tri-City News
Nov 17 2006

Tighter security measures, including cameras that warn intruders away, shutters, a community tip line and patrols may be gaining ground in the battle against vandalism.

But Jim Dueck isn't ready to crack open the champagne, despite reduced vandalism repair costs in the last two years.

According to School District 43 statistics released this week, vandalism costs have dropped since the 2003/04 school year, when they climbed to $329,493. Last year, the district spent $221,676 to repair windows, paint over graffiti and fix other damage, the lowest bill since 2001/02, when it was $239,278.

But Dueck, who has a background in grounds maintenance, said he is still astonished at the amount of destruction on school property and thinks even $200,000 is too high.

"There's no reason why any of this should happen ? it's bored kids or what?" said the man hired last year to focus on vandalism as part of his job as manager of minor repairs.

Last week, Dueck attended a graffiti workshop with bureaucrats and law enforcement officers from all over the region. He said he was impressed by the speakers who offered various solutions as well as an insight into people who "tag" property to get attention.

Dueck said the district is already well ahead of many jurisdictions in tracking vandalism and getting the community involved in solutions. Vandal Watch, a partnership between the school district and the cities of Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, is a major factor in the recent drop in vandalism.

"It's the biggest contributor and itt's something we'd like to see more participation in," said Dueck.

There are 58 Vandal Watch chapters, where neighbours keep an eye on civic facilities, including schools and parks, and call in if they see trouble. Last year, Vandal Watch got 106 calls and responded within 20 minutes of each, which enabled security personnel to discourage threats and keep property intact.

Dueck said he would like to see Vandal Watch expanded to all of the district's 75 schools and believes it would result in a further reduction in vandalism costs.

"It's starting to pay dividends," he said.

This past summer, usually prime time for vandalism, things were quiet except at a few schools where vandals went on window-breaking sprees. Rochester elementary on Schoolhouse Street in Coquitlam, for example, saw 26 windows broken one hot night in August.

Vandals, especially those who deface with spray paint, tend to move around, and there isn't always a pattern to their movements. But occasionally, schools become hot spots for vandalism, perhaps because of poor sight lines or other physical features.

In cases like these, the school district has found a new weapon to get rid of problems before they start. It's a digital camera, called a Flash Cam, by Q-Star Technology (at left); it has a motion sensor and warns intruders, then takes their picture if they don't go away.

So far, it has been used at Eagle Ridge, Walton and Harbour View elementary schools, and at Maple Creek and Pitt River middle schools, among others. "Wherever we get the most complaints," Dueck said.

The school district also spent $55,000 last year on physical deterrents, such as shutters and screens, landscape improvements, brush clearing and changing pedestrian traffic patterns on school property.

In addition, the district has hired a consultant to do a security audit of all schools that will recommend safety policies among other things. It's expected to be complete in a month but the recommendations may not be made public, Dueck said.

And as far as routine vandalism goes, Dueck said he would like to see it drop further, even as much as 15% this year.

"What could the district do with $200,000 [it spends on vandalism repair costs]? That's the question."

" For more information on starting a Vandal Watch chapter in your area, visit www.vandalwatch.citysoup.ca.

dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

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