Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) What is

CPTED? The official book definition is "the proper design and

effective use of the built environment that can lead to a

reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement

in the quality of life." It is simply a goal to reduce

opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of

structures or in the design of neighborhoods. In other words,

make your home or neighborhood unappealing to burglars and

thugs. Cities and Counties throughout the country are adopting

CPTED ordinances requiring site plan reviews with crime

prevention in mind. Law enforcement officers who are specially

trained in CPTED are now working closely with Planners,

Architects, City Officials, and Educators to ensure the proper

design of structures, schools, and neighborhoods. These experts

know how the design and use of the environment can control human

or criminal behavior and reduce the fear of crime. They used

natural means such as landscaping to deter criminals. Access

control, natural surveillance, different aspects of lighting and

its effects on human behavior, all deter crime. Many landscape

specialists incorporate CPTED into their layout & design of

landscapes. Each of the following CPTED strategies are low cost

guidelines that they apply to reduce the fear and incidence of

crime and improve the quality of life. 1. Natural Access

Control guides people entering & leaving a space through the

placement of entrances, exits, fences, landscaping & lighting.

Access control can decrease opportunities for criminal activity

by denying criminals access to potential targets & creating a

perception of risk for would-be offenders. Walkways &

landscaping should direct visitors to the proper entrance & away

from private areas. The design should create a perception of

risk for would-be offenders. Walkways should be installed in

locations safe for pedestrians & keep them unobscured. 2.

Natural Surveillance is the placement of physical features,

activities & people in a way that maximizes visibility. A

potential criminal is less likely to attempt a crime if he or

she is at risk of being observed. At the same time, we are

likely to feel safer when we can see & be seen. The landscaping

should be selected and installed to allow unobstructed views of

doors & windows. The front door should be at least partially

visible from the street. Shrubs & bushes near windows should not

restrict full visibility of the property. Sidewalks & all areas

of the yard should be well lit. 3. Territorial Reinforcement is

use of physical attributes that express ownership such as

fences, signage, landscaping, lighting, pavement designs, etc.

Defined property lines and clear distinctions between private &

public spaces are examples of the application of territoriality.

Front porches or stoops should create a transitional area

between the street & the home. Property lines & private areas

should be defined with plantings, fences or retaining walls. Use

thorny plants along fence lines and under windows to deter

access by intruders. 4. Maintenance is a well maintained home,

building or community, and creates a sense of ownership. A well

kept area tends to make someone feel like they will be observed

by neighbors or business owners as it is obvious people care

about the area. Keep trees & shrubs trimmed back from windows,

doors & walkways. Keep shrubs trimmed to 3 feet & prune the

lower branches of trees up to 7 feet. Use exterior lighting at

night & keep it in working order. Keep litter & trash picked up

& the yard neat & free of items that might attract theft. You

can find links to more CPTED resources at

www.kicklighter-landscaping.com

About the author:

John Kicklighter is the owner of Kicklighter-Landsca

ping. His business is near St. Louis, MO.