Vandalism is the deliberate destruction or damage of property that belongs to someone else. When someone spray-paints graffiti on a school wall, smashes a park bench, or scratches up a library book, they're committing vandalism.

Today, we use the word to describe anyone who damages property on purpose, whether it's keying a car, breaking windows, or defacing public monuments.

Vandalism differs from accidental damage. If you knock over a lamp while playing catch indoors, that's careless but not vandalism. But if you intentionally knock it over because you're angry, that crosses into vandalism. The key is intent: vandals damage things on purpose.

Communities take vandalism seriously because it affects everyone. When someone vandalizes a park, taxpayers must pay to fix it instead of spending that money on new playground equipment or books for the library. Vandalism can also make neighborhoods feel less safe and cared for.