2. Vandalism in ParksiioCity of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 • Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758
TO: Chris Kukulski, City Manager
FROM: Michael Baker, Director Parks & Recreatic
DATE: August 8, 2000
RE: Vandalism
Chris:
The willful or malicious destruction of public property is a problem that
affects everyone, the owners or managers of the property as well as those
persons who want to use the property or facilities. Over the years our Park and
Recreation facilities have experienced considerable amounts of property damage
and destruction.
This memo is intended to assist the City Council discussion of vandalism in
our City Parks.
First, let's take a look at what we are up against. The national average for
vandal related costs is usually 10% of the annual budget when it comes to Park
and Recreation facilities. In Montana the average is considerably less and in
Kalispell this last year it cost the tax payer $12,711.00. Over the last eight years,
the Park's Department has collected vandalism data and tracked the costs as
indicated on the attachment.
Obviously, nothing is 100 percent proof against the dedicated vandal, but
we can certainly make his task less attractive and rewarding. We have heard the
public suggest different control methods or strategies. The following are control
strategies that we have used to help in deterring and dealing with blatant
Mr. Chris Kukulski
City Manager
August 9, 2000
Page Two
A. Park vandalism control management must be cost effective.
B. Avoid tendencies to fight effects rather than causes.
C. Develop a clear policy regarding publicity about vandalism.
D. All rules should be realistic, clear, and understandable.
E. Cooperation between Park Department, Law Enforcement, Court, and the
Community.
A. Police patrols, catching the vandals.
B. Restitution to pay repairs.
C. Community or neighborhood watch.
F. Education and public relations: Friendliness between the park visitor and
City Park's Department.
G. Identification of Park Staff - logo's or shirts - visibility.
H. Reward offering for information to arrest and conviction of vandals.
I. Repair, cleanup quickly, prompt maintenance.
J. Strengthen repeat targets of vandalism.
K. Fill out reports and track all incidents of vandalism.
L. Contract Security Patrols to lockup facilities.
If we look at physical closure of a site, I believe there are a number of
underlying impacts that need to be looked at. They are as follows:
— is the deterrent strategy more expensive than the effect of the act.
— who locks and sweeps the site at closure? Police Department, neighbor,
private security company.
— who does this keep out? Only vehicles, a major pedestrian and bicycle trail
passes through the site (Lawrence Park)
— after gate closure, security patrols can not easily access the site.
— easy neighborhood access after hours.
Mr. Chris Kukulski
City Manager
August 9, 2000
Page Two
In conclusion, I would like to add that community involvement and
cooperation is essential in establishing a vandalism countermeasure program.
No single solution will control the complex variety of problems jointly described
as vandalism. My philosophy is combined strategies are best applied in
conjunction with one another as part of a complete vandalism control
management program. I find that each site we maintain in the City has a
different character and type of vandalism. This warrants a flexible policy and
program to be able to deal with the problem efficiently.
KALISPELLPARKS VANDALISM REPORT
Fiscal Year 1999-2000
Date
Incident
Cost
7-28-99
WP Camp Center - women's rest room door
broken
20.00
7-21-99
20 petunias dead from vandals
60.00
11-19-99
Woodland Park fence driven into
108.60
11-15-99
Two trees killed at Courthouse Park
1,480.00
11-16-99
Lawrence Park - trees driven over
1,900.00
11-17-98
North Montana Hall - young tree pushed
over
500.00
1-4-00
Lawrence Park - birch tree ran over
575.00
2-28-00
Woodland Park - fence driven through
100.00
3-17-00
Woodland Camp Center - equipment stolen
2,522.00
4-6-00
Woodland Park - fence driven through
150.00
4-28-00
Lions Rest Room set on fire
3,730.47
5-15-00
Woodland Park - driving on turf, two
bushes dead
300.00
5-1-00
Lawrence & Woodland Park - Coca-Cola
machine demolished (Scholarship funds)
??
5-22-00
Lions Park - Women's restroom covered
in spray paint
60.00
5-26-00
Lion's Park -
50.00
6-3 or 4
Depot Park - flowers driven over
35.00
6-2000
Lawrence Park - two bathrooms - all the
porcelain broken off walls
1,120.37
TOTAL
$12 , 711.4 4
KALISPELL PARKS VANDALISM
$14, 000
$12, 000
$10, 000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2, 000
$0
1992 1994 1996
1998 1 FY2000
FY1999
IN Labor & Materials
1992: $2,035.00 1995: $2,000.00 FY1999 $4,498.50
1993: $2,944.00 1996: $2,537.00 FY2000 $12,711.44
1994: $7,058.00 FY1998 $4,417.00