Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theories contend that law enforcement officers, architects, city planners, landscape and interior designers, and resident volunteers can create a climate of safety in a community right from the start. CPTED’s goal is to prevent crime by designing a physical environment that positively influences human behavior. The theory is based on four principles: natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality, and maintenance. NCPC’s course helps participants put the theories behind CPTED into action in their communities by designing a hands-on, interactive, two- or three-day basic or advanced training specifically tailored to their community’s needs.

Best Practices for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design using Weed and Seed Sites

Benefits of CPTED

CPTED benefits for Community residents, Municipal Leadership, Law Enforcement, Business Leaders and Planners/Architects.

Community residents will have

  • Opportunities to play meaningful roles in community crime prevention
  • Improved sense of security and quality of life through reduced fear of crime
  • Fewer crimes committed in neighborhoods, fewer victimizations of residents
  • Increased interaction among residents and stronger neighborhood bonds
  • New crime prevention and problem-solving skills and enhanced knowledge of city government agencies and other resources

Municipal leadership will see

  • Less crime in neighborhoods and business areas
  • Improved perception of safety and livability in public areas and neighborhoods
  • Enhanced consideration of public safety in planning, development, and redevelopment projects

Law enforcement will benefit from

  • Sustainable links with planning, development, code enforcement, and other local agencies
  • Clarification and action on neighborhood priorities related to crime and quality of life
  • Opportunities to play meaningful roles in community crime prevention
  • New crime prevention and problem-solving initiatives

Business leaders/owners will gain

  • Safer locations that are more attractive to customers and employees
  • Enhanced problem-solving partnerships with local government and community members

Planners/architects will gain

  • A greater role in designing the environment; CPTED is recognized as an acceptable component of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Green Building
  • A holistic approach to the development and planning process

Specialized sessions can include

  • Multifamily housing
  • New housing and retail development
  • Parks and other public spaces
  • Public parking garages and decks
  • Schools and churches
  • Youth involvement with CPTED

Basic CPTED Course

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the principle that proper design and effective use of buildings and public spaces in neighborhoods can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life for citizens.

School CPTED Course

This course allows participants to use advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies and solutions to promote safety, orderly behavior, and a reduction of fear in the school environment. This course allows participants to use advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies and solutions to promote safety, orderly behavior, and a reduction of fear in the school environment.  There are technical sessions on transportation, signage, landscaping, and lighting.  Additionally, participants are guided through a comprehensive school assessment process followed by a real assessment of a school.  Working in teams which consist of law enforcement, school administrators, staff, teachers, parents, students, and designers, participants will develop, prioritize, and present feasible recommendations for improving safety and comfort of students and staff.

This training will prepare participants to

  • Examine and apply the principles of CPTED to a school environment
  • Plan how to engage students in identifying and resolving school safety issues
  • Develop and apply strategies and present recommendations for improving the safety and security of schools
  • Analyze how best practices in design and security policy development can be adapted to their communities
  • Craft a plan to identify stakeholders, secure resources, and partners to implement recommendations

School CPTED Agenda

Day One

  • Introductions
  • Behavior and the School Environment
  • CPTED Concept and Principles
  • Travel Routes
  • Signage, Landscaping, and Lighting

Day Two

  • Safer School Design Guidelines
  • Policies, Procedures, and Programs
  • Conducting a School CPTED Assessment
  • Field Review (by class teams)
  • After Dark Lighting Review (optional)

Day Three

  • Team Presentations and Class Discussion
  • Implementing CPTED Plans
  • Working with the Media

Advanced CPTED Course

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the principle that proper design and effective use of buildings and public spaces in neighborhoods can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life.

Description

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the principle that proper design and effective use of buildings and public spaces in neighborhoods can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life.  Learn how to assess conditions in your neighborhood and apply practical access control (doors, fences), surveillance (lighting, windows, landscaping), territorial reinforcement (signs, sidewalks, ordinances), and maintenance (code enforcement, community clean ups) to improve your community, your neighborhood, and/or your home.

Training Goal

The Advanced CPTED course provides additional intense practical applications of the basic CPTED.  The participants will study more comprehensively lighting, landscaping, and traffic calming strategies and also review design plans and make suggestions for changes and enhancement based on previous learning.

Who Should Attend

This training is designed for local law enforcement, local city and private planners, government officials, business leaders, community activists, crime prevention practitioners, and leaders looking for innovative ways to prevent crime in their communities.

Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants can be expected to:

  1. Review of CPTED theory, and principles and how they apply to problem solving, community    planning, and safety and security assessments
  2. Participate in intense, hands-on, practicums on applying CPTED principles in your community
  3. Examine more comprehensively lighting, landscaping, traffic calming strategies, cul-de-sacs, chicanes, park and recreation areas, parking facilities, and their applications within your community
  4. Learn and review site plans and make suggestions for changes and enhancement based on CPTED principles
  5. Learn how CPTED principles can play a role in your overall community planning