Disclaimer: The Recommendations Listed In This Brochu 686125

Disclaimer The Recommendations Listedin This Brochure Are Made For T

Disclaimer: The recommendations listed in this brochure are made for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of criminal activity and providing for a safer environment. While no guarantee can be stated or implied, the concepts of CPTED have been proven internationally. The City of Tacoma recommends these measures as a public service, with the understanding that there is no way to predict or prevent all crime risks. Local building and fire/life safety codes must be considered when implementing CPTED strategies. This document was prepared using various sources from the internet, jurisdictional and industry materials, and CPTED training information and is considered general knowledge of the Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles.

City of Tacoma-Public Works Department Building and Land Use Services In support of the City of Tacoma Safe and Clean Initiative For more information, please call CPTED Coordination at ( Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Basic CPTEDstrategies for building a safer Tacoma Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) We constantly respond to our environment, whether we are aware of it or not. Effective design of our environment helps us to feel safer and reduces opportunities for criminal acts to occur. CPTED, (pronounced sep-ted), is an initiative that helps us create healthy, safe communities through well-planned design. • CPTED is based on the premise that the design of our environment directly affects our behavior. It influences both the opportunities for crime to take place and our fear of crime. This has an important impact on our quality of life. • CPTED enhances safety by altering physical design and encouraging positive social interaction. • CPTED offers an alternative to creating fortress-like communities where we have to lock ourselves away to feel safe and also complements police and security strategies. How CPTED works • CPTED promotes design strategies in planned environments that encourage safe behavior and reduce the opportunities for crime to occur through three inter-related basic principles: - natural access control - natural surveillance - territoriality • Once you know about CPTED strategies, you will see the environment in a different way. Natural access control (limits access) Guides people entering and leaving a space through the placement of entrances, exits, fences, landscaping and lighting. Access control can decrease opportunities for criminal activity by denying criminals access to potential targets and creating a perception of risk for would-be offenders. Natural surveillance (increases visibility) The placement of physical features, activities and 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. Avoid landscaping that creates “blind spots” or hiding places and make sure there is effective lighting for pedestrians. Territoriality (promotes a sense of ownership) The use of physical attributes that express ownership such as fences, signage, landscaping, pavement designs, defined property lines and clear distinctions between private and public spaces are examples of the application of territoriality. Territoriality can be seen in entrances into a community or development, and in the use of borders and texture. In addition to the three main principles described, two other elements support CPTED; Activity Support and Maintenance. Activity support (fosters community interaction) Encouraging activities, such as art/ community events, in public spaces that are intended for use by residents and other legitimate users discourages criminal acts. Maintenance (deters offenders) A well maintained home, building or community creates a sense of pride. A well kept area tends to make someone feel like they will be observed by neighbors or business owners who care about the area. Without proper care, “grime leads to crime”. Using CPTED CPTED can be applied in both existing communities and during the planning stages of new development. CPTED principles work best when applied during the design phase to avoid potential costly changes later. CPTED is an effective method to help reduce premise liability and give a project “value added” market appeal. In existing development • CPTED can be applied creatively by finding solutions to make those spaces safe and help it better meet the requirements of users. • A CPTED security assessment can be done for an existing home, building, school, playground, park, business, etc. to identify problems and needs. In new development • Costly safety problems can be avoided if the principles of CPTED are applied during the design and planning process. • CPTED reviews are becoming standard practice in the planning process across the country. Ask for a CPTED design review for new developments and projects. • Design professionals can increase the quality of life for users of a space by incorporating CPTED into the development. For more information or assistance, please call CPTED Coordination at ( Fostering a sense of pride in an area • maintenance • landscaping • use of art/community events Natural surveillance - increases visibility Basic CPTED principles at work • Multi-family • Ensure hallways are well lit. • Install good quality deadbolts, locks and 180 degree or larger eye viewers on unit doors. • Provide common space in central locations to encourage resident interaction. • Encourage a Resident Association Watch program. • Place play areas within view so children can be observed by residents. • Use deadbolts on exterior doors. Be sure that the throw bar goes at least 1” into the door frame and that the strike plate is installed with at least 3” screws. • Install 180 degree eyeviewers and use solid core doors. • Post addresses and unit numbers in large contrasting colors to the building. • Design in visibility to laundry and community rooms by using windows. Businesses • Locate checkout counters near the front of the store, clearly visible from outside. • Window signs should cover no more than 15 percent of the windows to provide clear visibility into and out of the store. • Use shelving displays no higher than 4’ to help see who is in the store. • Avoid creating outdoor spaces that encourage loitering. • Ensure lighting is consistent throughout the parking lot and the store. • Remove any graffiti immediately to deter future occurrences and reduce fear of crime for customers. • Communicate with other businesses on your block; look out for each other. Tips on crime prevention design Landscaping defines parking lot of business from roadway • identifies public and private space • allows for natural surveillance Deck at front of multi-family units • creates natural surveillance opportunities of the walkway, street, and bus stop • supports territoriality Parking garage • reduces areas of solid walls • incorporates an open stairwell that allows opportunity for surveillance Territoriality - promotes a sense of ownership Decorative fencing and signage • helps control access • celebrates the entrance • creates “a sense of place” Layout offers surveillance opportunities • low shelving • centralized platform near front doors • operational camera and blindspot mirror Parks and common areas • Use walkways and landscaping to direct visitors to the main entrance; use thorny plants along fence lines and under windows to deter access to private areas. • Place play areas and picnic shelters within view of trails, roads and parking areas to increase opportunity for surveillance. • Keep shrubs trimmed below 3’ and limb up trees at least 7’ from the ground around facilities to improve visibility. • Use lighting over entrances, parking areas, and pedestrian scale lighting along walks. • Schedule activities in passive areas to draw legitimate users to the space. • Locate restrooms near staffed or active areas or as to be seen from the road. • Trim back landscaping at least 10’ back from trails to avoid blind spots or ambush points. • When fencing is needed use transparent or semi-transparent materials to increase visibility into an area. • Clearly mark hours of operation, rules, and use directional signage to establish acceptable behaviors and guide users through the space. NOTE: CPTED principles are site specific. Please be aware of the need to consider the type of use, the area, demographics, etc. Fencing and landscaping material • designates public and semi-public space • fenced-off areas can be accessed when gate is open Use of transparent materials • allows for natural surveillance • easy to maintain and is effective Maintained landscape material • limits access to parking under a building • reinforces territoriality • natural surveillance from the sidewalk

Paper For Above instruction

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a proactive safety strategy that emphasizes the importance of environmentally conscious design in reducing crime and enhancing community safety. Originating from the recognition that physical environment influences behavior, CPTED focuses on creating spaces that naturally discourage criminal activity while fostering positive social interactions. This holistic approach integrates physical design modifications with social community engagement to craft secure, welcoming neighborhoods.

The core principles of CPTED are natural access control, natural surveillance, and territoriality. Natural access control involves guiding and limiting entry points through physical elements such as fences, landscaping, and lighting. Strategic placement of entrances, exits, and barriers can prevent unauthorized access to private spaces and reduce potential targets for crime. For example, well-designed landscaping that funnels visitors towards visible entrances discourages clandestine activities. Similarly, ensuring adequate lighting at access points and along pathways enhances safety by reducing hiding spots and increasing the likelihood of outside observation.

Natural surveillance emphasizes maximizing visibility within an environment. By thoughtfully positioning physical features, activities, and community members, spaces are made more perceivable and observable. This can include well-lit walkways, windows overlooking communal or private zones, and strategic landscaping that minimizes blind spots. For instance, shrubbery trimmed below a certain height and trees pruned to keep clear sightlines prevent criminals from hiding and facilitate resident or security observation. These design elements complement active community watching programs and foster an environment where potential offenders feel exposed and intimidated.

Territoriality fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents and users of a space. Physical cues such as signage, fencing, landscaping, and pavement delineations define boundaries between public and private areas, instilling pride and encouraging residents to self-police their environment. Prominent signage indicating ownership, property lines, and communal spaces reinforces territorial behavior and deters trespassing or misuse. Additionally, design elements such as decorative fencing and well-maintained landscaping signal active management of an area, thereby deterring criminal acts rooted in neglect or anonymity.

Besides the three primary principles, two supportive elements—activity support and maintenance—are vital to effective CPTED implementation. Activity support encourages legitimate use of public spaces through organized community events, art initiatives, and communal activities that promote social cohesion. Regularly scheduled activities attract community members, foster pride, and naturally discourage crime by increasing legitimate users who observe and react to any suspicious activity. Maintenance — the regular upkeep of landscapes, buildings, and public areas — enhances the sense of community pride and vigilance. A well-maintained environment signals active oversight and reduces sites that appeal to offenders seeking neglected and abandoned spaces.

The application of CPTED spans both existing communities and new development projects. In existing neighborhoods, creative adaptations and assessments can identify vulnerabilities and implement improvements such as better lighting, landscaping redesigns, or community watch programs. CPTED assessments can be conducted to identify specific risks and suggest cost-effective strategies tailored to a location’s context. For new developments, integrating CPTED principles early in the planning and design process helps prevent costly safety issues and creates inherently safer environments. This proactive approach has gained wide acceptance across municipal planning departments nationally.

Practical CPTED strategies include designing multi-family residential complexes with well-lit hallways, secure entry systems with quality locks and deadbolts, and communal spaces that foster interaction among residents. Businesses benefit from placing entrances and counters in visible locations, minimizing obstructions at storefronts, and maintaining consistent lighting and signage. Landscaping plays a crucial role in defining boundaries, providing surveillance opportunities, and deterring unauthorized access through thorny plantings, low shrubs, and transparent fencing materials. Public spaces such as parks and playgrounds should be arranged to maximize natural surveillance by positioning activities within view of thoroughfares, well-lit walkways, and frequented areas, while trimming shrubs for clear sightlines.

Design professionals and communities are encouraged to incorporate CPTED principles during the planning phases of new projects. This includes the use of transparent fencing, strategic landscaping, and clearly marked signage to promote legitimate activity and indicate ownership. By doing so, communities can foster a stronger sense of pride and safety, reducing crime opportunities and increasing perception of security. Overall, CPTED offers a comprehensive framework that, when thoughtfully applied, transforms environments into safer, more vibrant spaces that support community well-being.

References

• Cozens, P., & Love, V. (2015). "Safer by Design: The Principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design." Journal of Urban Design, 20(2), 211-229.
• Clarke, R. V. (1997). "Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies." Harrow and Heston.
• Cozens, P., Saville, G., & Hillier, D. (2005). "Threat and Risk in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): A Systematic Search and Review." Security Journal, 18(2), 33-47.
• Jacobs, J. (1961). "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." Random House.
• Crowe, T., (2000). " Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design." Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Cozens, P., & Hillier, D. (2018). "Planning for Crime Prevention in Urban Spaces." Routledge.
• Fisher, B. S., & Nasar, J. L. (1992). "Fear of Crime and Neighborhood Change." Journal of Urban Affairs, 14(3), 377-395.
• Brantingham, P. L., & Brantingham, P. J. (1991). "Environmental Crime and Target Hardening: An Ambient View." Crime & Delinquency, 37(4), 471-484.
• Newman, O. (1972). "Defensible Space: Crime Prevention Through Design." Macmillan.
• Tilley, N. (1990). "Securing Urban Environments: Crime Prevention and Urban Design." UCL Press.