VANDALISM

Vandalism is the action involving deliberate destruction or damage to public or private property. While Graffiti is writing, drawings,
scribbling, scratching, or spraying illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place. We will be investigating areas in and around
our school and locality. We will also take the view of the locals, government officers and students on vandalism and educate them
about it. We will also make it a point that no person whatsoever does damage to the public property and clean the damage. Also, we will
stop others from doing more damage to the government property.
INTERVIEW WITH A PUBLIC AUTHORITY FIGURE…
Nishith Mishra, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Protection and Security, Mumbai Police.
Q1. What are some common types of vandalism in the area ?
ANS: Ransacking, Smashing of furniture and fixtures, stone pelting on vehicles (pvt and public), tyre burning,
uprooting of electric telegraphic poles (rare in this part), digging of railway tracks (again rare), arson at public and
pvt establishments.

Q2. Is it known who vandalizes these places? Why do they do this?

ANS: Some have recorded antecedents of this type while majority are first timers and unidentified. They do it for
money, media attention, for advancement of their agenda and at times because they are criminal by nature and try
to exploit the situation for their pecuniary gain.

Q3. What steps are taken to protect local properties against vandalism and graffiti?
ANS: Graffiti on public places is punishable under the Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act. On private
exteriors, permission of competent local authority is required. Usually, it’s the BMC. Prevention for vandalism includes
strong police patrolling, strict warnings through social media and effective prosecution in the trial courts of previous
vandals. BMC may produce measures like erecting movable nets around vulnerable targets, detachable metal grills on
public transport, anti stick paints etc…

Q4. What other steps should be taken to better prevent vandalism in the future?
ANS: Vandals are hard to identify. When they are found, they must be made to do community service and clean all
defaced premises. In case of material damage, matching compensation from the accused must be affected. Public
shaming of such people is a must.
INTERVIEW WITH STUDENTS… Ved Sona, Yishit Sanghvi, Ayaan Desai. STD 8.
VED SONA:-
Q1. What are your views on vandalism?
Ans. I think vandalism is an emerging problem which has caused a great loss to many
countries because their cultural and heritage symbols were destroyed or damaged.

Q2. Do you think the government is taking enough steps to stop it?
Ans . Yes, the government has enforced many laws against vandalizers. However, since it
is relatively difficult to identify the suspects, they usually get away with the crime.
Although this does happen the government makes sure to punish the vandalizers that
are caught severely, to dissuade others from doing it too.

Q3. Do you think that soon we may be able to stop vandalism completely?
Ans . Yes, in fact even now CCTV cameras are placed all around the structure/
monument. Nowadays even infrared cameras have been attached as well as thermal
cameras. Though this is not completely foolproof I do believe it will be very soon.
INTERVIEW WITH STUDENTS… Ved Sona, Yishit Sanghvi, Ayaan Desai. STD 8.
YISHIT SANGHVI:-
Q1 What are your views on vandalism?
Ans. Vandalism is a great threat to not only heritage but also just public and private property.
Many people vandalize, railings, walls , etc. all over the city ,thus, causing damage to public
property.

Q2. Do you think the government is taking enough steps to stop it?
Ans. No, the government isn’t taking enough steps to stop vandalism, the security is laxed and
people are easily able to come close to the monument, since the few guards cannot control a
large mob of people. Even though there may be cameras , their resolution is generally very low,
and they are not serviced regularly, leading to malfunctioning.

Q3. What would you advise people to do if they see someone vandalizing a monument/
structure?
Ans. I would advise citizens to immediately inform authorities about the vandal. However, if the
person is about to vandalize the structure, the citizen should try to dissuade them from doing it
by diplomatic negotiation and verbal communication.
INTERVIEW WITH STUDENTS… Ved Sona, Yishit Sanghvi, Ayaan Desai. STD 8.
AYAAN DESAI:-
Q1. What are your views on vandalism?
Ans. Vandalism is a very big issue, especially in India. It has been a very grave issue all
over India and many national monuments have lost their value due to it.

Q2. Do you think the government is taking enough steps to stop it?
Ans . Vandalism has been neglected and an unseen issue. Many state governments don’t
have strict enough laws to discourage people from committing such crimes and so people
still vandalize monuments and symbols of our heritage. The punishments for these
crimes are not strict enough and can easily be dropped.

Q3. Do you think that soon we may be able to stop vandalism completely?
Ans . We as citizens can so a lot to prevent vandalism, like , spreading awareness
through posters, talks, etc. We can set examples for each other by not flouting the rules
of heritage sites. If you see anyone else vandalize any structure it is your path to inform
the needed authorities.
PROOF
INTERVIEW WITH ADULTS
Subir Shah - Age 43

Q1) What are some common types of vandalism in the area?

Ans) Vandalism includes graffiti, trash dumping, light smashing, removing/bending
signage or ornamentation, breaking windows, or another defacing of property.

Q2) What is your opinion on vandalism in the area?

Ans) I think that Vandalism is rare where I live. I live in Worli, where there aren't
many places to draw and scribble on walls. Plus, there I stay right opposite Worli
RTO.
INTERVIEW WITH ADULTS
Arvi Shah - Age 41
Q1) Is it known who vandalizes these places? Why do they do this?
Ans) People who vandalize places are called Vandals. They don't rob or steal, but just
reduce the quality of products. In general, vandalism may be motivated by malicious
greed, by the wish to draw attention to a particular condition, by a political ideology,
by the desire for revenge on a particular person, by frustration, or by misguided
playfulness.

Q2) What steps are taken to protect local properties against vandalism and graffiti?
Ans) Steps that people take who are often visited by Vandals are:
i) They fit extra lighting in their house
ii) Install security cameras
iii) Install fences, gates, or locks to prevent easy access to an area. If you already have a
wood fence that is not working, consider installing a metal fence or a chain-link
fence that is less attractive to a graffiti artist. Paint your fence as well. Unpainted
fences attract graffitists.
INTERVIEW WITH ADULTS
Munjal Dalal - Age 39

Q1) Why isn't Vandalism good?

Ans) Vandalism can affect people's quality of life because it damages or destroys
things that they need or care about. It also makes people feel that their lives are less
safe than they really are.
INTERVIEW WITH ADULTS
Toral Dalal - Age 37

Q1) How to stop Vandalism and Graffiti in school?

Ans) Some of the ways how we can stop vandalism in schools are:
i) Lock the bathrooms in between class periods. Assign a teacher or staff member to sign in
students each period. Check the bathrooms at the beginning, middle, and end of the period for
any graffiti.
ii) Ask teachers to check classroom desks at the beginning and the end of the class period. Assign
students seats to make them more accountable. Report any sign of graffiti to an administrator
at the conclusion of the class period.
iii) Assign a security guard or custodian to check the grounds before and after school. Check the
outside walls of the building first, but do not forget to check hallways and especially stairwells. If
graffiti is seen, administrators should investigate. Use school cameras if applicable and question
staff and students. If the grounds are checked daily, graffiti become more of a challenge for the
student.
iv) Assign seats or sections in the lunchroom. Make students accountable by knowing where they sit.
Faculty or staff should check the lunch tables as soon as students are dismissed. If something is
found, the lunch table or individual students should be questioned.
PROOF
 Like many other public laws in India, laws
concerning vandalism in India are also subject to
the great tool of Political Convenience. This is a
pity, as the Section 425, Indian Penal Code &
Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984,
is extremely detailed in its punishments regarding
Enforcement to various types of vandalism, which are neither
too mild nor too harsh, but they are rarely
of Laws enforced, and thus remain wasted. There would be
significantly lesser vandals committing this
concerning offence. This would also help in preserving the
Vandalism: cultural and historic landmarks of India, which
suffer a dangerous amount of defacement, and it
goes unpunished! Enforcement of Laws is also
helpful in discouraging adolescents and young
adults from committing vandalism, as this
demographic contributes largely to the total
amount of defacement of public property.
 Vandalism in India occurs due to multiple
reasons, one significant reason being lack of
awareness about the rules and the ill effects of
vandalism. People need to spread awareness
through social media campaigns, as has already
been undertaken by many police forces, and
through word of mouth, as well as using posters
IMPORTANCE etc. to catch the attention of the common public.
Awareness may indeed prove to be a deciding
OF AWARENESS factor in this campaign against vandalism,
because vandals will be able to understand that
there are multiple ill effects caused by
vandalism, including inconvenience to their
fellow citizens, and also that there are multiple
punishments for acts such as graffiti and
vandalism, which are not instantly thought of as
crimes.
Vandalism is to deliberately destroy or damage public property. Living in South Mumbai, the cases of vandalism
have been comparatively lesser as compared to other places. However, due to political tensions, government not
fulfilling needs of people and a few other reasons, Mumbai has witnessed this in the past.
PREVENTION AT SCHOOL:
1) Connect with the Local Police Department. Most police departments will gladly work with you to protect your
school from vandalism.
2) Set Up Video Surveillance Monitoring.
3) Install an Access Control System.
4) Have Students Paint a Mural.
5) Install an Alarm System.
6) Connect with the Community.
7) Severe Punishments
8) Suspension.
9) Hefty fines
10) Strict Discipline in School
PREVENTION IN OUR LOCALITY:

1. HAVE BRIGHT SECURITY LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR PROPERTY.

2. USE UNBREAKABLE SECURITY GLASS AND FIXTURES DESIGNED TO
DETER VANDALS.
3. INSTALL SECURITY FENCING AROUND YOUR PROPERTY.
4. STRATEGICALLY PLANT SHRUB AND BUSHES TO INCREASE SECURITY
5. CLEAN UP VANDALISM AND REMOVE OR REPAIR ANY DAMAGED ITEMS
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
6. IF YOU SEE ANYONE COMMITTING VANDALISM, REPORT IT TO THE
POLICE.
7. SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE
SOMETHING TO DO.
8. LOCK SECURITY GATES AND ALL OTHER ENTRANCES AND EXITS.
9. INSTALL VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
10. HIRE A SECURITY SERVICES COMPANY TO PROVIDE SECURITY GUARD