Chesterfield County Police Department

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

What is CPTED?

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, (CPTED), is an environmental design strategy that incorporates crime prevention techniques. It is based on the fact that, "the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life". (National Crime Prevention Institute)

Studies show that human behavior can be influenced by environmental design.

CPTED emphasizes the use of "natural" strategies such as landscaping, lighting, the location of doors, windows, and public areas, versus "mechanical" strategies that include locks, cameras, alarms, security bars, etc.

The four key CPTED concepts, when used together, can make your surroundings safer, whether it be a residential home, commercial business, industrial facility, park, or parking facility. These concepts include:

• Natural Surveillance: Providing the ability to see and be seen.
• Natural Access Control: Controlling access to a location by clearly defining access points.
• Territorial Reinforcement: Displaying confidence in ownership.
• Maintenance: Landscaping, lighting, building and grounds.

The CPTED Planner, as a member of the Crime Prevention Unit within the Support Services Division of Police, applies these strategies during the initial planning phases of new development. It is a proactive approach to reduce crime and the fear of crime. The strategies can also apply to existing buildings and grounds. Educating planners, developers, architects, design professionals as well as the public as a whole is instrumental in accomplishing the prevention goals of CPTED.

The Chesterfield County Police Department is committed to meeting the needs of the community and with CPTED, we can help the community take ownership of their property, provide safe environments, and improve the quality of life.

For more information, contact:

Dave Deringer, Crime Prevention Sergeant for the Chesterfield County Police Department at (804) 318-8687 or email deringerd@chesterfield.gov.