Vandalism escalates in Jyväskylä, Finland, with public spaces facing severe defacement

Vandalism in public spaces has increased and become more severe in Jyväskylä, Finland. This summer, a notable new trend has emerged, with instances of defecation occurring on slides, climbing frames, and playhouses in schoolyards and daycare playgrounds. Almost a dozen such incidents have been reported.

“It appears to be systematic. It’s not normal for these areas to be cleaned repeatedly,” states Tuomo Kiiski, the property manager at Jyväskylä’s Facility Services. Additionally, vandalism has involved damage to school property and even the setting of fires on the roofs of buildings. Kiiski notes that the frequency and nature of the vandalism have escalated over the past three years, describing some acts as senseless. For instance, considerable damage has been inflicted upon indoor restrooms in schools, with a recent incident involving a chair being broken and pieces being shoved into a toilet.

This issue extends beyond Jyväskylä, presenting a national concern. Kiiski estimates that the city could incur costs exceeding 100,000 euros this year just for repairs from vandalism.

To address the situation, the Facility Services began monitoring the costs associated with vandalism more closely at the start of the year. “We want to know precisely how much these repairs cost annually,” Kiiski emphasizes. The cost of repairs varies, with the replacement of a broken window costing thousands of euros, while cleaning and disinfecting a slide may only incur a few hundred euros. The bulk of the costs arise from the labor hours city employees spend addressing vandalism.

The increase in repair costs is a source of concern for Kiiski, who highlights the city’s goal to save money—a target set at two million euros for this year, with an additional 600,000 euros needed next year, all contributing to an overall savings goal of 40 million euros in the coming years.