Whitby Free Press, 3 May 1978, p. 3

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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1978, PAGE 3 Reportin"vndalisrni way -of stoppî 1ng it says panel Reporting incidents 0f vandalism to the police is very important in dealing with this growing social problem, members of a panel at the Whitby Library said last week. Councillor Joy Thompson, who was responsible for get- ting the Oshawa-Whitby Social Planning Council to undertake a vandalism study in Whitby this year, chaired the panel, consisting of Detective Charles Gallogley of the Durham Regional Police Youth Bureau; George Marlow, principal of Whitby Senior Public School; Dr. Graham Haley, chief psychologist for the Whitby Psychiatric Hospi-_ tai; and Jean Baker, Presi- dent of the Oshawa Branch of the Canadian Association for children with Learning Disabiities. Most people when they see vandalisni, don't report it because they don't want to get involved, said Detective Gallogley. lHe stressed that people seeing property damaged should report it, and they don't have to give their names. The police ask for a name and address only to be,ý able to follow Up on cases if they need additional information, he said. One of the key problems which came out at the panel discussion is the impression people have that they should not "rat" on their friends if they see thein doirng some- thing wrong. Councillor Thompson said it is a social responsibility to report vandalism, even if one's friends are responsible Detective Gallogley said he had even hear parents tel their children not to "rat" on anybody, but stressed they are in the minority. The name of an informant is kept strictly confidential, lie said, and many children do report tbings to him once he talks to themn. Mrs. Baker contended that the so-called "ratting" does help people, and is a preven- tative thing, while Dr. Haley said that the anonymity af- forded by the police encour- ages reporting of acts of vandalism. Detective Gallogley said that young people, are not responsible for a large per- centage of vandalism cases, and many cases are not really intended vandalism, for example a basebail ac- cidently breaking a wxndow IHAWAII ouring a game. Vandalism involves criminal intent, lie said. 1Mrs. Baker suggested that many young vandals have learning disabiities, and a conference on youth in Dallas in 1974 reported that a large percentage of juvenile crime cornes from meclical problems. More than 70 per cent of chiîdren in a training sehool had learning disabili- ties, shesaid.. A child's lack of logic can be a cause of vandalism, she said and such things as minor head injuries can af- fect reasoning, foresight and hindsight. -Biochemists and nutrition- ists are looking into the effects 0f foods and pollution on behavior, she added. Mr. Marlow reported, that schools are the most fre- quently vandalized property, and the cost in Toronto is $5.18 per pupil, the highest incidence of school vandal- ism in Canada. Usually boys are'respon- sible for vandalism he said. Girls write on washroom walls, he said, but are flot part of groupe, that are re- sponsile for break-mns or, smashing of windows. Mr. Marlow listed two common causes of youthful vandalism. Highjinks are dares of a group with nothing better to do, often create a situation where children think they can get away with damaging property and won't get cauglit; he said. Another cause is revenge, or anger at someone or somethingi said Mr. Marlow., Mr. Marlow said that what parents say and do to their children can have a very real affect on them. Television also contributes to vandal- ism, he said, because child- ren act out the examples 0f behavior they see on TV. "We need to provide suit- able ways to use leisure time, and we need to talk and communicate with our child- ren and listen to them,>' he said. Dr. Haley told the panel that vandalism is a solution a person uses to handie' un- pleasant feelings. It reduces anger, gives recognition, and shows competence, ha said. "It is a way one can leave his mark on the world," he said. Accordlng to Dr. Haley, vandals modal their be- havior on others and on what they see on television. For example, ha sald, children follows the example of aduits OC#TOBER lst - 14th, 1978 HOTE L ACCOMMODATION (KIHEI ON THE BEACH HOTEL, MAUI TRIRTrEEN iNIGKTS) TWIN CGST PER PERSON FR OM TORONTO $59500 (CANADIAN> AJAX PIPE BAND INVITEO To PERFORM DURING TOUR AT 'MAUI COUNTY FAIR' RUSSELL TRAV EL 116 BROCK ST. s'Ir WHITBT 668.500 HOURS Mon. - Sat. 9-5 P.M. who put their fists through walls, kick cars or slam doors to show anger. "Parents can provide al - ternative ways 0f expressing unpleasant feelings," he said. Dr. Haley said that people need to develop a sense of shared ownership of public property. Treatment should be souglit for a dangerously destructive child, and parents should give children a chance to develop indepen- dent feelings so they won't always follows the examples of their peer groups; he said. "lWe also need to hold a child responsible for small acts of vandalism he may cause," he said. Detective Gallogley said young people are always afraid of what their friends think or do, and Dr. Haley stated that a child has got to' decide where to draw the lina in how far he goes along with the group. "Children can respect a child for saying 'no"', said Mr. Marlow; and parents should show their children how they can be manipulated by their peers, said Mrs. Baker. Dr. Haley said that a certainty, 0f punishment for vandalism is needed, but their are -problems created when parents threaten punishment but don't deliver it when it is needed. "Children should learn that things do bave definite con- sequences," ha said. Detective Gallogley said the incentive of offering a reward for vandalism is not very effective, and a custo- dian at Whitby Senior School siad there have been only four dlaims for rewards' for reporting school vanadalism in the past five years. "It bas flot worked to our advan- taga," he said. Detective Gallogley said it is most important that resti- tution ba made in cases of vandalism. Juvenilas (under the age of 16) are taken to juvenile court, not for punishment, but for halp, he said, and where possible, restitution is assessed. Parsons 16 and over are tried ini an adult criminal court, and restitution is ren-ated by Topswe Shows lac. assessed, he said. Parents are told that the child should work to pay for the damage and not let the parents pay for them,' he said. Detective Gallogley ex- plained that a new system is being put into use where a convicted vandal is assessed a certain number 0f hours of work on community projeets Councillor Thompson re- ported how the deputy f ire chief recently caught some children writing on the wall of the fire hall, and he had them spend two hours clean- ing up the mess they made. One member of the aijdience suggested vandals Ialong with: LI PLUS it schools shouici De maGe to work for the shcool care- t.aker for a -certain number of hours. Mrs. Baker said that bore- dom and depression can lead to vandallsm, while Dr. Haley defined depression as unrepressed anger which could be expressed through vandalism. Councillor Thompson stated that the social struc- ture of today has a lot to do with vandalism. Sorne mem- bers of the audience said that lack of discipline 'in the schools was a major cause of vandalism problems, while Mrs. Baker blamed it on sickness. "Too niuch of the badness of the world today is put down to sickness,"' said Councillor Thompson. "It's about time the aduits took over a littie more." Mr. Marlow replîed that there is discipline in the schools, and invited the members of the audience to corne and see his school. "When moral values are being taught in sehools there is more respect," said Jim Speers, a Whitby school trustee., "The most import- ant thing is to teach a child self discipline. " * Johnny Wright * Bobby Wright *the Tennessee Mountain Boys Thursday Maiy i8th 2 shows: 7:30 p.m.; 9:30p.m.n Iroquois Park Arena corner Henry and Victorîa Sts., Whitby Reserve Seats $4.09 (plus .411 tax) and $5.00 (plus .501 tax) ADVANCE TICKET SALES: SHORTYS CIGAR STORE. 121 flrock St..N., Whitby SEE The Queen of Country Music and Member of the CountryMusic Hall of Fume ]KITY WIL

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