Crime Analysis: Cpted -- Crime Prevention Through

¶ … Crime Analysis: CPTED

CPTED -- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

Before committing a criminal act, offenders often make several decisions with regard to the effort expended and chances of being apprehended. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) seeks to influence the decisions an offender makes, prior to committing a criminal act, via the alteration of the constructed environment. In addition to explaining the function of CPTED, this text will, amongst other things, also highlight how it is used and who exactly uses it.

CPTED, in the words of Sennewald and Christman (2011, p. 69), "is based on the theory that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime, and to an improvement in the quality of life." As the authors further point out, CPTED is further reinforced by concepts derived from such diverse fields as criminology, psychology, and geography -- in which case there is general consensus that; the physical environment design as well as use has an effect on people's behavior, which has an influence on the productive utilization of space, thus informing what the authors term "an increase or decrease in exposure to crime and loss" (Sennewald and Christman, 2011, p. 69). Those who make use of CPTED, include, but they are not limited to, "community residents, municipal leadership, law enforcement, business leaders and planners/architects" (National Crime Prevention Council, 2014).

The Functions and Goals of CPTED

The key goal of CPTED is crime reduction/prevention. On this front, it is via the utilization of strategies that relate to environmental design that CPTED seeks to deter criminal behavior. To reduce instances of crime, CPTED seeks to influence human behavior in a positive way, and hence present a psychological deterrence to crime. When offenders feel that the risk of committing a crime (with regard to detection and apprehension) and the effort required in the commission of the said crime (with regard to the time taken, energy expended, etc.) are significantly huge, they are likely to back down or scout for an alternative target.

By reducing fear of crime, CPTED, further enhances the quality of life (National Crime Prevention Council, 2014). CPTED strategies, when properly implemented, make an environment safe. This could happen via the relocation of utilities stuffed in inappropriate locations and proper lighting of critical spaces such as the parking lot. In this case, inhabitants of the concerned area end up feeling safer and more secure -- and undertake their day-to-day duties without fear of harm or attack.

One other goal of CPTED is cost reduction. It is important to note that in the past, organizations, neighborhoods, and diverse agencies have largely relied on labor-intensive strategies in an attempt to reduce or bring down crime. Such labor-intensive, and thus costly, approaches, as Sennewald and Christman (2011) point out, include the use of police patrols, hall monitors, and guards. With CPTED, opportunity for crime can be limited severely without huge resource allocations.

CPTED is also critical when it comes to the further reinforcement of conventional approaches to safeguarding. When used alongside traditional safeguarding approaches, CPTED could be of even greater significance in the reduction of crime.

How is CPTED Used?

When it comes to the use of CPTED, the National Crime Prevention Council, (2014) identifies four strategies: natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality, and maintenance.

With regard to natural access control and surveillance, the goal is often to limit the opportunity for crime. More specifically, when it comes to natural surveillance, Hess (2008, p. 154) makes a well-known observation: "criminals do not want to be seen." Would-be offenders are in this case made insecure with the creation of a constant feeling of scrutiny and increased probability of easy apprehension. This could be achieved by placing windows in such a way that they overlook public places like parking lots and sidewalks, designing buildings in such a way that visitors are directed to the reception area, etc. (Sennewald and Christman, 2011). Other applications in this case include the strategic lighting of pathways, and the further enhancement of the visual permeability of all those areas seen as being vulnerable (i.e. The playground and stairwells). Natural access control, in basic terms, is founded on the premise that persons would be more inclined to respect a strategically developed boundary. In that regard, therefore, a boundary that is strategically developed guides the movement of people as they move from public to private space. Examples of natural access controls, therefore, include gates, walls, as well as fences.

When it comes to territorial reinforcement, social control could be achieved via a number of means. These, as Sennewald and Christman (2011) points out, "include an increased definition of space, improved proprietary concern, expanded sense of ownership, and enhanced activity support and motivation reinforcement." Essentially, these could be achieved in several ways, including the further enhancement of space assigned to regular/desired users as well as the reduction of locations that are not assigned. To attract large numbers of desired users of the said space, amenities such as vending machines could be placed in common areas. According to Sennewald and Christman (2011, p. 70), "scheduling activities in common areas increases the proper use, attracts more people, and increases the perception that these areas are under control." As the authors further point out, CPTED enhances the safety of the normal user and makes the unwanted user feel exposed -- and at an increased risk of either scrutiny or apprehension. Individuals are likely to protect a territory they identify as their own, and have reverence for territories of other people (Hess, 2008).