ALTERNATIVE SECURITY METHODS PRE RATED ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY TO FULFILL 20 BASIC EFFECTIVENESS CRITERIA. COSTS WERE BASED ON QUOTES FROM COMPANIES IN THE YORK, PA, AREA. THIS ANALYSIS SHOWED NEITHER GUARD OR GUARD DOGS TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING SCHOOL VANDALISM, AND POINTS TO THE USE OF 'HARD-WIRE PERIMETER PROTECTION SYSTEM' AS THE BASIC ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEM TO BE APPLIED TO THE PROBLEM. IT IS SAID THAT COMBINATION OF GUARD AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DEALING WITH MULTIPLE SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND ASSURING RESPONSE TO AN ALARM SIGNAL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)