Check out the newest newsletter from Officer Kirk Kimberly regarding Vandalism/Malicious Mischief
October 2016 Newsletter: Property Crime and Malicious Mischief
The Halloween season is a strange one. For most of the year, parents tell their children not to take candy from strangers, then for one night, parents not only allow their children to take candy from strangers, but they actually encourage the practice! Strange… As we get older and trick or treating either gets boring or starts yielding less candy, many people turn to criminal activity to alleviate boredom or to get back at someone who did not give them candy. Property crime is the crime du jour for this time of year and malicious mischief if exceptionally common.
There are many different forms that property crimes can take. The most common property crimes include:
RCW 9A.48.070: Malicious mischief in the first degree. A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding five thousand dollars.
RCW 9A.48.080: Malicious mischief in the second degree. A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the second degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars.
RCW 9A.48.090: Malicious mischief in the third degree. A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the third degree if he or she: knowingly and maliciously causes physical damage to the property of another, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree; writes, paints, or draws any inscription, figure, or mark of any type on any public or private building or other structure or any real or personal property owned by any other person unless the person has obtained the express permission of the owner or operator of the property, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree.
Malicious mischief manifests when the suspect breaks or harms the property of another such as breaking the heads off of yard gnomes… for those of us that have ‘em. Under similar circumstances, stealing yard ornaments constitutes theft. Arson is commonly seen on Halloween. An example of a Halloween prank that is criminal is putting dog fecal matter in a brown bag, putting it on a front porch, lighting the bag and hitting the doorbell (then run off). This has the potential to harm life as well as property. No one is particularly safe from various Halloween behaviors. To help curb this type of victimization, watch out for strangers in your neighborhood. The best deterrent occurs when the potential perpetrators know they are being watched. If you do not want to call police, please utilize campus security if you see something or someone suspicious. Campus security is eager to make sure you are safe.
Feel free to contact me with questions as well! Be safe and have a happy Halloween!
Detective Kirk Kimberly
Spokane Police Department