What is Vandalism?

Vandalism is a crime that involves the mutilation or destruction of a structure or disembodiment of a symbol, that another governing establishment or private party has jurisdiction over. Forms of vandalism may be both an act of artistic expression or contempt against the owners or governing body. Either way, it is disrespectful and destructive to private or public property, which is why it is prohibited by law.

The usual violators of vandalism are private citizens who deliberately damage other people’s property to present disapproval against its jurisdiction and laws. A common example is spray painting obscenities on an election candidate’s poster. Flags and banners are also very likely targets. Other sources of this form of vandalism also stem from bigger contradicting groups who may be sending the private citizens to do their dirty work.

Defacing property artistically, no matter how beautiful and attractive it may be is still a form of vandalism. The intention behind this is not of contempt, however, but may be more of culture jamming. The most noticeable types of artistic vandalism are graffiti on public basketball courts and bathrooms. Independent individuals may simply engage in this type of vandalism for creative purposes, while some are involved in gangs and post art to impose authority and territorial influence.

What Makes Vandalism a Crime?

What is common between the two is that they are done without the permission of a private or public entity that has legal rights over the space. Regardless of the gravity, extent, volume and intention, without appropriate orders, the act will be considered as a violation of private property, thereby, making it a crime.

More serious intentions would be those involving hate, intimidation, and violence. These should not be taken lightly, as these can be indicative of other more intense criminal acts in the future. Vandalism may be targeting or non-targeting; meaning, the act may be done to directly involve the body owning the property, or that the property was randomly selected as an ideal slate.

Penalties for Vandalism

Several laws which specifically point out vandalism as an act of violating property are enforced. Other examples of vandalism include bashing house windows, flattening a car tire, painting art on trash cans, and cutting off electrical wiring. All these acts disrupt and deface property and all persons involved will be penalized.

Punishment for vandalism varies in different countries. In the United States, a person found guilty of the act may be sentenced with as short as twenty four hours to as long as three years of jail time. A required number of hours doing community work is usually indicated to clean up the vandalisms. Fines also range from $500 to as much as $50,000, depending on damages and intent. In some areas, physical punishment or caning is done to violators.

Several anti-vandalism groups exist to aid in the fight against environmental crime. In vandal-rampant areas, like New York and Russia, there are organizations that spearhead community efforts in reducing graffiti, structural damages, and effect programs and symposia to encourage violators to quit the act altogether. These have helped a great deal in lowering the crime, as well as other crimes in the past decade.  

===
We all want to think we are safe but are we? If you want to know more about the different types of crimes committed today, RecordsSiteReviews.com is offering FREE ACCESS to its Criminal Records Information section. If you have a nagging suspicion on someone, run a criminal check on him or her today!