Fullerton : School Vandalism Cost Triples Over Prior Year

Vandalism in Fullerton’s elementary schools cost taxpayers three times as much money this school year compared to the 1983-84 school year.

There were 133 such incidents in 1983-84 and the total loss was $11,022. The number of incidents rose to 315 for the 1984-1985 school year and the total loss was $33,766, said Assistant Supt. Bill Moore of the Fullerton Elementary School District.

Moore, however, cautioned against attributing the increase solely to more acts of vandalism. Moore said the figures may be misleading because of a new computerized program that logs every maintenance request. In the past, repairs such as broken windows often went unreported, he said.

“A year from now, I think we’ll get a much truer picture,” Moore said.

Broken glass accounted for most of the 315 incidents involving 18 schools, which include three junior high schools, he said. Pranks, such as pouring glue inside locks that then have to be “torched out,” was another major problem, said.