Surviving Vandalism
The Street Kiosks in Aberdeen have operated 24 x 365, for over two years and have not experienced any further vandalism until recently, when the Castlegate unit was attacked.
Initially, in the first months of installation, some kiosks were vandalised.
The councils project officer commented that 'as the kiosks were architecturally unique and a very obvious addition to the street scene, their presence was noted by the more dodgy street inhabitants, and night time drunks. He compared the city to the human immune - antibody system. Something suddenly and alien appears in the major city arteries (Streets) and the city's night people attack it!'
It may be a prosaic description, but might hold some truth as the service became understood as valuable to everyone including the potential attackers (like the immune system) the Umbrella kiosks were deemed to be beneficial and so were left alone by the vandal squad.
Two years later an isolated incident:
Vandalism, unfortunately is part of the street scene in our city centres. Because we are aware of it, our systems are hardened for the street environment. Although the protective laminated glass was fractured, the touch screen and the VDU below survived and continued to operate. It was then a simple matter to replace the protector glass. It is unlikely that ordinary street kiosks could endure such harsh treatment and be so easily repaired whilst keeping up an uninterrupted service!
