Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (C.P.T.E.D.)
Every 14.5 seconds someone in the United States will be burglarized. Help reduce your chances of being a victim of crime by utilizing CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). A proactive approach offered by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
C.P.T.E.D. works by eliminating criminal opportunities in and around a property. A criminal may avoid giving it a second look if the recommended precautions have been taken to ensure a safer property. There are three things to consider when making your property safer: 1.) natural surveillance, 2.) access control, and 3.) territorial potential.
When considering Natural Surveillance ask yourself: does landscaping or fencing obscure views from neighboring properties or streets? Are there any adult-sized hiding spots around my doors or windows? Are there areas of contrast and shadow around my building where intruders can linger undetected? If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions then you need to improve your property's natural surveillance by changing your lighting, landscaping, or fencing so intruders in your yard can be observed from the outside.
Access Control Review is where you need to take a fresh look at your property's access set up. Ask yourself: do people routinely violate my property or fence lines? Do people access my property in ways other than I intended? Do any existing access routes lack natural surveillance? As a result of the placement of outdoor furniture, equipment, utilities, or landscaping, is there potential to access a window or door/opening that would be otherwise inaccessible?
Again if you answered "yes" to any of the questions, then your property probably needs access control improvement. You can install fencing or change landscaping to increase awareness if someone attempts to breach a boundary of your property. Consider maintenance requirements and how it may affect natural surveillance with maturity. When you choose landscaping, "harsh" species (thorny) prove effective to ward off intruders.
Another avenue to consider is your property's territoriality. Here you need to ask yourself: do strangers trespass on my property regularly? Is my property used as a short cut? Does my property have an unkempt or un-lived in look? Are there sections of my property that seem to attract loitering? Again any "yes" response should increase your concern. Here you must seek to extend a sphere of influence around your property. Businesses and homes can do this by strategically placed flowerbeds, low fences, walls, signage, and hedges. It also shows pride in ownership by regular maintenance.
Target Hardening is another crime preventative tactic I want you to contemplate. Simply, you are making the target harder to get to. The most common access point into a residence by thieves is the front door, second is first floor windows. Door reinforcement using strike plates, dead bolts, escutcheon plates, latch guards are additional security features for consideration. In addition, security window locks, alarm systems and types of security glass are excellent target hardening techniques. The most overlooked security deterrent on the market now is security window film. It slows down criminals from entering a premise while police are on route when alerted by alarm companies. With break-ins, 60% are through glass, as they want in and out as quickly as possible. It also prevents broken glass from entering the inside of your premise, aiding in clean up. Consider glass security first and then, door security.
If you are interested in scheduling a CPTED evaluation FREE of charge. Contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Community Liaison Unit by telephone at: 316-660-3920 or email us at CommunityPartners@sedgwick.gov.
We, at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, are dedicated to helping citizens combat crime in their neighborhoods. But we need your help! By utilizing crime prevention techniques around your home, work place, and vehicles, you can decrease your chances of becoming a victim! If you have any questions about what you could do to help protect yourself and your property, please call either your Community Liaison Unit at (316) 660-3920 or your Community Policing Unit at (316) 522-2610. Or email us at CommunityPartners@sedgwick.gov.
Thank You!!DaDate Written: 01-06-2010 | Date Reviewed:
12-21-2011
Written by: Deputy J. Jameson
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is not intended to be legal advice, but is merely intended to convey general information commonly encountered when dealing with the subjects discussed herein. Because laws can change very rapidly, we cannot guarantee that any information on this document (or references contained therein) are current or accurate. Additionally, laws differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and are subject to interpretation of courts located in each county. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case and the information provided herein may not be an appropriate fit for your particular situation. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, its employees, agents, or others will not be liable or responsible for any claim, loss, injury, liability, or damages related to use of this document or any reference provided herein.
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