Beyond Bars and Locks: Designing Out Crime in Your Community

Buying a home or apartment can be tricky. Go to any open house and you can overhear numerous conversations about things considered to be deal breakers. Most of the litany of offenses can be attributed to poor design and functionality. “The bathroom is too small.” “Why is the refrigerator over here when the stove is way over there?” “That’s all the storage there is?” And the list goes on.

While great design can be the difference between just another house on the market and one that becomes someone’s next home, when it comes to businesses, the stakes are higher—it can be the difference between protecting your business from crime and  your business becoming a victim of it.

That’s why so many businesses have turned to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to ensure their buildings and commercial spaces are insulated against unwanted behaviors. In fact, effective use of CPTED strategies have been shown to reduce crime and calls for service, sometimes by more than 60%. The result is not only safer working environments but improved public safety.

In honor of October’s National Crime Prevention month, we’ll explore how CPTED can help businesses “design out crime,” particularly when paired with public security cameras and surveillance systems to create a formidable and comprehensive approach to security.

Why CPTED?

The core principle of CPTED is that through thoughtful and intentional design, environments can be deliberately created where crime is reduced, spaces feel safer, and criminals are less likely to act. 

However, it’s not just about exponentially building bigger or more barriers, bolts, and locks. It’s about integrating form and function to help create a positive customer experience by creating an aesthetically pleasing area designed to prevent crime.

Designing Out Crime

Natural Surveillance

When it comes to crime prevention, research suggests that the fear and likelihood of being caught is the most effective form of deterrence. Natural surveillance seeks to leverage this idea to create spaces where potential criminals feel that there is very little place to hide and where suspicious activities can be quickly identified. 

Visibility

This involves creating outdoor spaces that are well-lit, contain clear sightlines, and have minimal places to hide or potentially lurk. This concept can be extended indoors by installing large windows, and by placing counters and displays facing outwards to monitor any activity outside or any people coming in. It allows employees and customers to anticipate any potential dangers and notice anything that looks out of the ordinary. 

Lighting is critically important in keeping areas illuminated and eliminating shadows that can provide criminal cover. By verifying light bulbs are in working order and utilizing low-light video surveillance systems, you can ensure that your business is covered against any potential blind spots.

Landscaping

Greenery like bushes, plants, and trees contribute to the curb appeal and atmosphere of any business. However, proper landscaping can provide much deeper value than a surface level pretty façade. Deliberate planning of shortened shrubs, strategically planted trees and foliage can contribute to those unobstructed sightlines, but it can also provide natural barriers. The result creates an additional layer of protection for a business but can also subtly guide traffic patterns whether it be in a parking lot or a walking path where cars or people who deviate from the path are much more discernible. 

It creates a sense of safety for people too. Not only can they spot potential trouble around them but there is an added sense of confidence that they will be seen and aided if they are in distress.. 

Mechanical Surveillance

While natural surveillance can play a prominent role in designing safer spaces they can be strengthened even further through mechanical surveillance methods like security systems or mobile surveillance units (MSUs). This can be particularly important in areas where natural surveillance is challenged such as in parking garages, public parks, or older non-CPTED aligned infrastructure. No matter how well designed a business or public space is, there are bound to be blind spots, dark corners, and less populated areas where the benefits of additional surveillance, lighting, and security systems can help mitigate crime.

Natural Access Control

Natural access control is aimed at the idea that people are influenced by clear boundaries and access points to a site. By controlling those access points, you can directly limit the opportunities for crime. 

Signs can set expectations and make it clear where authorized entries and exits exist. By utilizing fencing, landscaping, and other barriers you can control traffic flow and where and how people engage with your business. This can affect how customers shop, interact with your products, and engage with your employees. By creating a movement pattern for people and limiting the areas they can access, it allows businesses to focus their surveillance efforts on specific areas that are populated whether it be with public security cameras or patrols by law enforcement. 

Territorial Reinforcement

Territorial reinforcement refers to the belief that physical markers and barriers create clear lines of demarcation. This sends a direct message of ownership and marks a clarifying line between public and private territories. 

Part of territorial reinforcement is born out of the broken windows theory, where the belief that areas that seemed abandoned or uncared for lend themselves to criminal mischief. This feeling is largely fueled by the notion that because there is a lack of oversight over the property, it can give the impression that the area is neglected and unmonitored. By staking claim to the area and creating physical boundaries, it shows that there is an inherent interest and ongoing effort in keeping the area secure.

Fencing coupled with video surveillance and advanced security systems can create a strong impression. The mobility and flexibility of things like mobile security units allow you to create a physical presence coupled with advanced security technologies like audio warnings, motion sensor lighting, and AI detection capabilities to make territorial enforcement even more formidable and intimidating.

Maintenance

Maintenance goes hand in hand with territorial reinforcement in demonstrating that an area is being kept up to date and being cared for. This involves providing ample trash receptacles to limit garbage and debris as well as upkeeping buildings, fences, landscaping, and light bulbs. By creating a clean environment, free from disrepair, it creates a sense that management is engaged and attuned to any aspect that needs attention. This sense of attentiveness and responsiveness also translates to criminals that people are actively tending to and paying attention to the premises and that nothing is going unnoticed.

Designs On Comprehensive Security

To effectively keep your business safe, it takes an all-encompassing approach. It starts with intentional design that creates spaces focused on surveillance, access control, and natural barriers. Together they can create areas that deter crime while promoting a sense of community and safety.

However, even the best designed spaces can benefit from something extra to make it all feel truly complete. By leveraging LVT’s advanced technologies, mobile surveillance solutions, and total site security solutions, you can add an added layer of protection to fill any security gaps. From 24/7 remote monitoring to our AI rich features, LVT can meet the needs of any business no matter how big or small.

To see how LVT can help bridge the gap between great design and a robust and comprehensive security plan, reach out to schedule a demonstration.