What Is the Cost of Vandalism?
andalism to public and private property in British Columbia costs tens of millions of dollars each year. The exact costs are difficult to determine because no one is collecting the data at a provincial level. The BC Schools Protection Program which provides insurance coverage for BC schools keeps track of vandalism incidents that result in damage exceeding $5,000. However, most acts of vandalism cost far less than that. A Schools Protection Program representative who attended the 2005 BC Vandalism Prevention Conference was shocked to learn the extent of vandalism to BC schools. Some organizations do keep track of their vandalism repair costs. For example, School District No. 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows reports that vandalism costs the district $450,000 a year, which includes both direct and indirect costs. Ridge Meadows Parks and Leisure Services spends $100,000 a year repairing vandalism. Neighbouring Coquitlam School District spends $300,000 annually while the Parks and Leisure Servi
