Harry Stone Crime Watch #1155

CRIME PREVENTION - CPTED DESIGN TIPS

CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - CPTED

INTRODUCTION

The term CPTED is used to describe a series of physical design characteristics that maximize resident control of criminal behavior within a residential community. A residential environment designed under CPTED guidelines clearly defines all areas as either public, semiprivate, or private. In so doing, it determines who has the right to be in each space, and allows residents to be confident in responding to any questionable activity or persons within their lot. The same design concepts improve the ability of police to monitor activities within the community.

THREE CPTED STRATEGIES

*** NATURAL SURVEILLANCE

Surveillance is a design concept directed primarily at keeping intruders under observation. Therefore, the primary thrust of a surveillance strategy is to facilitate observation and to accomplish the effect of an increased perception of risk. Surveillance strategies are typically classified as organized (e.g., police patrol) mechanical (e.g., lighting) and natural (e.g., windows).

*** NATURAL ACCESS CONTROL

Access control strategies are typically classified as organized (e.g., guards), mechanical (e.g., locks), and natural (e.g., spatial definition).

*** TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT

The concept of territoriality suggests that physical design can contribute to a sense of territoriality. That is, physical design can create or extend a sphere of territorial influence so potential offenders perceive that territorial influence.

For example: low walls, landscape and paving patterns to clearly define the space around your home as belonging to (and the responsibility of) the residents that live there.

The following information called, "CPTED Strategies Overall Review" will concentrate on the third strategy - Natural Access Control.

The primary thrust of an access control strategy is to deny access to a crime target and to create a perception of risk in offenders.

OVERALL REVIEW

Provide clear border definition of controlled space (e.g., fences, hedges, paving patterns and low walls). Avoid unassigned space. As much as possible, all space should become the clear responsibility of someone.

Provide clearly marked transitional zones that indicate movement from public to semiprivate to private space. For example, the sidewalk represents public space and the main path to a residential home is semiprivate, and the interior of the home becomes private space.

DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

NATURAL SURVEILLANCE/VISUAL CONNECTION

Provide a good "visual connection" between residential and/or commercial units and public environments such as streets, common areas, parks, sidewalks, parking areas and alleys. Place actively used rooms such as kitchens and living/family room to allow for good viewing of parking, streets, alleys and/or common areas.

Provide for the ability to see into a room or space prior to entering.

Take advantage of mixed use if it exists and provide good "visual connection" between uses. This may enable natural surveillance during the day and evening, (i.e., a residence that is vacant in the evening or is uninhabited during the day).

NATURAL ACCESS CONTROL/SPATIAL DEFINITION

Provide clear well-lit paths from the street to the residence.

Avoid indistinct walkways and entries where occupants and guests may become lost or disoriented" or must search for the correct entry.

Provide adequate lighting, width of path, definition of path and ability to see a destination.

Provide obvious physical security techniques such as locks, lights, walls, gates and security signs.

Control unwanted entry through attic space.

Identify whether surrounding property has a negative or an adverse impact on the residence.

One-story residences may require security above and beyond residences with more than one-story. Walls, fencing, deterrent landscaping and lighting may be necessary.

TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT/FOSTERING A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP

People take more interest in something they own or feel they are intrinsically involved. Therefore, the environment should be designed to clearly delineate private spaces. Provide obvious defined entries. Use low walls, landscape and paving patterns to delineate ownership and responsibility.

Create a sense of ownership to foster behavior that challenges abuse or unwanted acts in that space. People who have a vested interest are more likely to challenge intruders or report them to the police.

Provide clearly defined and secure storage areas.

Create an environment where strangers or intruders stand out and are more easily identified.

LANDSCAPING AND FENCING

Specify thorny plants and landscape to create a natural barrier and to deter unwanted entry.

Specify vines or planted wall coverings to deter graffiti. Avoid blank spaces that may be an invitation to graffiti vandals.

Provide landscape and fencing that do not create hiding places for criminals.

Keep alleys clean and free of debris as to not create hiding places for criminals for any merchandise they wish to drop off and come back later to acquire.

Discourage crime by creating an inhospitable environment for criminals.

Provide attractive and durable masonry or fencing whenever possible.

Consider creative solutions to fencing schemes that work aesthetically as well as functionally and that fit within your local Code Enforcement Rules.

LIGHTING

Provide lighting systems which provide nighttime vision for pedestrians and homeowners, to see risks involved in walking at night and to reduce the risk of trip-and-fall accidents.

Provide lighting systems that will enhance police ability for surveillance, patrol and pursuit.

Provide lighting systems that minimize glare, light and pollution and light trespass.

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