THE TYPICAL VANDAL DIFFERS SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE TYPICAL JUVENILE DELINQUENT. THE TYPICAL VANDAL IS A 12 TO 15-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE FROM A FAMILY WITH HIGH PARENT-CHILD CONFLICT. HIS FAMILY IS LESS TRANSIENT THAN THAT OF THE DELINQUENT YOUTH. HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE FOR GRADES OF LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOL. HE COMMITS VANDALISM IN A GROUP RATHER THAN ALONE BUT FOR DIVERSE MOTIVES. SCHOOLS WITH HIGH DAMAGE OR PROPERTY LOSS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY POOR COMMUNICATION AMONG STAFF, IMPERSONALITY, FACULTY HOSTILITY TOWARD STUDENTS, EXTREME COMPETITION FOR GRADES, LACK OF PARENT SUPPORT, HIGH ENROLLMENT, INCONSISTENT OR LAX DISCIPLINE, AND A HIGH RESIDENTIAL DWELLING CONCENTRATION AROUND THE SCHOOL. SINCE PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES SUCH AS ALARM SYSTEMS WILL PREVENT ONLY 20 PERCENT OF VANDALISM, A MORE COMPREHENSIVE VANDALISM APPROACH IS NEEDED. MEASURES TO MAKE THE SCHOOL A LESS ATTRACTIVE TARGET INCLUDE USE OF A 24-HOUR CUSTODIAL FORCE, USE OF THE SCHOOL FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, ROVING PATROLS, SECURITY GUARDS, AND DESIGN FEATURES SUCH AS LIMITED GROUND-TO-ROOF ACCESS, MULTIPLE-USE ENTRIES, OUTDOOR LIGHTING, AND USE OF VANDAL-RESISTANT SURFACES. RECOMMENDED CHANGES IN SCHOOL POLICIES INCLUDE PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN UNABLE TO ADAPT TO TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS, CURRICULUM REVISION, AND INCREASED STUDENT, PARENT, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL POLICY AND PROGRAMS. IN THE EVENT OF VANDALISM, THE SCHOOL SHOULD PROMPTLY REPAIR THE DAMAGE, KEEP FORMAL RECORDS OF THE INCIDENT, CONDUCT INCIDENT ANALYSIS, WORK WITH THE COURTS, AND CONSIDER RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. ILLUSTRATIONS AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)