NCJ Number
112649
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 57 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1988) Pages: 18-24
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The involvement of law enforcement agencies in the conceptualization and planning of community projects based on crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) can lead to improvements in the quality of life and reductions in the incidence and fear of crime.
Abstract
CPTED concepts integrate natural approaches to crime prevention into building design and neighborhood planning. They are fundamental to traditional law enforcement values, they require information and knowledge about the community to which law enforcement professionals are privy, and they deal with problems and issues that have a direct bearing on calls-for-service and crime opportunities. They also provide a means for enhancing the local tax base by improving property values and business profitability. CPTED approaches have applicability in such areas as traffic flow, store and school design, public housing, and urban development and provide opportunities for natural surveillance and natural access control. Law enforcement agencies are in a unique position to collect and analyze data required for a CPTED review. Such information includes a crime analysis, demographics, land use, use patterns, and user attitudes. A CPTED assessment uses such information to provide answers to questions about the definition and designation of space and the effects of design features. It provides a variety of general strategies and concepts that may be applied to problem situations. 3 figures.