THE CPTED APPROACH
Community and local law enforcement involvement and participation are standard during
our crime and safety site analysis process. The analysis of crime prevention strategies can
best be explored and labeled as either passive or active. Passive represents the mostly
front-end analysis phase, and active is seen with the actual implementation of the
design strategies. The following will explain the process of implementing CPTED.
Crime Prevention Strategies
- Section I-Crime Prevention via Urban Analysis
- Section II- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Section I: Crime Prevention via Urban Analysis
A. Existing Site and New Master Plan Computer Analysis
Using the available site information will begin to utilize a computer model to analyze
the layout of the existing site and early master plan concept sketches. The results of
this computer model will identify the team where the integrated (well-connected) and
segregated (poorly connected) pathways and movement areas are in development
(prior to and, during design and construction). This gives the design team and the client a
graphic look at where people are likely to travel (by foot or auto) in and around the
development. One can see this has obvious security implications and perceptions of
safety for inhabitants and visitors.
By looking, in detail, at the way a site is “embedded”, and relates in the existing
community, we will be able to tell if the site will be a part of continuously used urban
fabric or is segregated from its surroundings. Additionally, questions related to economic
and real estate development are usually answered by this computer modeling such as,
“Are proposed shopping areas located to take advantage of passing trade?” By studying
these models we can begin to address these critical questions early in the design process.
In some cases, we can even begin looking at these before design begins.
B. Public Safety Survey – Community Residents:
The first step in developing a good community safety program is to get the input of the
community residents. A series of”Community Input Think Tanks” will be held to solicit
input on all concerns involving the project as it relates to crime perception and
prevention. A list of questions concerning communities safety and concerns will be
developed with the aid of the participating residents, business persons, government
officials, and law enforcement officers. These questions will be put together in the form of
a survey to be filled out during resident meetings and workshops.
The survey results will be transferred by the team to a computerized database and
then generated into summary of results for examination by the residents, authority and
community at large. These results can be used as a point of departure for: (I.) The design
team to begin synthesizing the results with the information gathered by the computer
models, and (2.) implementation of the development of topics for any Police Sensitivity
Training that might be instituted relating to the project.
Section II Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
The basic premise of CPTED is that the proper design and effective use of the built
the environment can lead to a reduction of both the perception of crime and the fear of crime
itself. CPTED focuses on the integration of crime prevention goals and objectives into the
normal uses and requirements of physical space.
We will utilize the three overlapping strategies of CPTED in analyzing and making
recommendations for the site. These strategies are as follows: access control,
surveillance, and territorial reinforcement.
A. Access Control:
Uses increased perception of risk to potential
offenders, and reduces mobility for a crime to be carried out by denying
access to potential crime targets or victims.
B. Surveillance:
Reduces the opportunity for a crime to occur by
increasing the risk of being seen or identified. This is accomplished by
ensuring visibility and observation of the
environment.
C. Territorial Reinforcement:
Natural access control and
surveillance led to the strategy of territorial reinforcement, whose objective
is to: Create areas of influence, increased the perception of the community
accessibility and ownership, and discourage potential offenders by the
presence of others.
A report is developed, based on these previous strategies, which incorporates the analysis
of the existing conditions contributing to crime at the site and the surrounding
neighborhood. Design, construction, and maintenance recommendations along with
zoning standards to be implemented by the team will be presented as part of the report
and will be implemented within the overall project. In addition, a cost analysis of these
recommendations will be included in the documentation.