NCJ Number
190782
Date Published
January 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this circular is to standardize basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) information presented to the public by the Los Angeles Police Department during community crime prevention meetings.
Abstract
The term CPTED is used to describe a series of physical design characteristics that maximize resident control of criminal behavior within a residential community. The premise of CPTED is that the proper design and effective use of public and private space can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime, reduction in calls for police service, and to an increase in the quality of life within a community. Three CPTED strategies are "natural surveillance," which is a design concept directed primarily at keeping intruders under observation; "natural access control," whose strategies are typically classified as organized (e.g., guards), mechanical (e.g., locks), and natural (e.g., spatial definition); and "territorial reinforcement," clearly define the space around a unit entry. The lesson plan outlined in this circular focused on the strategy of natural access control, with the primary thrust being to deny access to a crime target and to create a perception of risk in offenders. Eight CPTED strategies were briefly stated, and design recommendations were presented under the following general categories: natural surveillance/visual connection; natural access control/spatial definition; territorial reinforcement/fostering a sense of ownership; landscaping and fencing; and lighting.