THE NEED TO ISOLATE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VANDAL AND HIS BEHAVIOR IS CONSIDERED PARAMOUNT IN DEVELOPING A STRATEGY OF VANDALISM PREVENTION. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF VANDALISM GROW OUT OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN VANDALS, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE SCHOOL. IT IS STATED THAT TURNING THE SCHOOL INTO A DEFENSIVE FORTRESS ONLY INCREASES THE SENSE OF ALIENATION AND DEFENSIVENESS FROM WHICH HOSTILE ACTS STEM. THE STIMULATION OF PROGRAMS AND ATTITUDES THAT CAUSE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO FEEL THE SCHOOL BELONGS TO THEM AND CARES ABOUT THEIR WELL BEING IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACHES TO PREVENT VANDALIZING. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT AN INFORMATION SYSTEMS MODEL WOULD PROVIDE HELP IN SHOWING HOW SYSTEMS OF SECURITY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS....RCB