Though it is well established that murals can help to reduce crime and the fear of crime, it is easy to miss the added impact that murals reflecting unique local and regional aspects of a community can have. This mural from a K-12 school in the North Shore region of Oahu, Hawaii is an excellent example. The school is located within 200 yards of the beach and this mural reflects the love of nature that is so important in Polynesian culture.
Taking the time to connect the themes for murals can create added value to the crime prevention benefits of murals. Creating a greater connection between people and place has been shown to be an effective tool for improving security while also offering additional benefits such as improved school climate and support for education.
