As with any program, continuing to recruit volunteers is very important, especially if your project is a long-term or multisite one. Also, involving community sponsors who will continue their support throughout the life of the project helps sustain your effort.

As you take care of the most immediate issues of your project, you may want to shift your focus to more long-term solutions. For example, the use of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) means that by making improvements in the physical space near or at your worksite, you may make it less attractive to vandals. Some CPTED methods include:

	Improving the lighting and landscaping of your area.
	Using a different kind of paint that can't easily be covered with graffiti. (A paint specialty store or your school maintenance staff can advise you on the type of paint to use.)
	Installing fences and putting in security cameras.

If you consider some of these CPTED actions, you will have to think about their costs. Many of these strategies can be good investments and reduce future repair costs created by vandalism, but they may require sizable initial investments. These large repairs should most likely be done in partnership with local government or school officials.

Youth In Action Bulletin

December 1998     Number 02