Protecting Cemeteries from Vandalism
Protecting cemeteries from vandalism is difficult. For some people, visiting and disturbing the cemeteries is considered a non-violent prank for ghostly fun. Although it is not. Cemeteries are the resting place for people who are loved, respected, and honored. It is horrifying to visit the resting place of a loved one only to find out the gravestone was knocked over and suffered graffiti. The indignation boils over to want justification.
Unfortunately, protecting cemeteries from vandalism particularly in the month of October is especially difficult because cemeteries are notoriously vandalized during the month of October, due to Halloween. Many cemeteries brace for this holiday that can bring destruction. Extra precautions to protect the resting place from vandalism, graffiti, and malicious acts are necessary.
In addition to malicious pranks, cemeteries sadly are the target of hatred. Criminal behaviors leave damage targeting the grave site because of someone’s religion, skin color, gender identity, or political identity. Regardless of the reason, cemeteries should never be the object of vandalism and should be protected for all future generations.
To protect cemeteries, a Cemetery Protection Plan must be implemented.
Although protection can come in many forms. An effective plan will contact the following:
- Educating the next generations to respect and honor grave sites as a place of reverence
- Creating laws with stiff fines and penalties such as restitution
- Heavier penalties for historic grave sites
- If possible, control the access to the cemetery with fences
- Install Vandalism Cemetery Cameras, designed specifically to deter vandalism in cemeteries