Surveillance – Essential to suburban crime prevention is the concept of “natural surveillance;” the extent to which neighbourhood design allows and/or encourages residents to watch their surroundings. The idea is rather straightforward, criminals who feel that they are likely to be seen during an offence are assumed to be less likely to follow through with their intentions. This shares obvious similarities with “neighbourhood watch” programs, but there are some differences. For example, solid concrete stairwells used in medium density complexes often provide a secluded and relatively sound proof area for assaults. Using CPTED as a guide, many builders now install large windows lined with steel mesh (to meet fire codes) so that pedestrians can look into the area. The old Yorkdale subway station now has a retro-fitted stairwell for these very reasons. Another example relates to the way houses are currently built in today’s subdivisions. Strangely the rooms that are often used the most (the kitchen and the family room ) are placed at the rear of the house overlooking small backyards. The result is that residents are often removed from those windows that overlook the street. This being the case, there are fewer people watching neighbourhood activity and thus fewer people capable of reporting suspicious behaviour to the police. Today’s housing designs make “neighbourhood watch” programs extremely ineffective.

Territoriality – Territoriality is really the extent to which residents of a residential complex or neighbourhood identify with, and defend, their own property as well as that of others. The idea is straightforward: People who care about their property and that of others are likely to take an active role in crime prevention. For those individuals living in apartment complexes, for example, there is little opportunity to connect with the environment, to call it one’s own. Instead, the surrounding area becomes a “no man’s land,” a space owned and cared for by nobody in particular. For a motivated vandal, these locations become ideal for graffiti and abuse. “Nobody cares for this place anyway!”
A number of things can be done to increase a sense of territoriality. Residents should be encouraged to make their property “their own” though decoration and maintenance (this applies especially to those locations where exterior changes are prohibited such as some condominiums and residential high-rises). Clear divisions between public and private space should also be made so that offenders become increasingly aware that they are on private, cared for, grounds. This can be achieved through landscaping and other barriers like shrubs, ravines, and if carefully placed, fences. Lastly, a sense of territoriality comes with increased interaction with one’s neighbours. Community events help build solidarity and, hopefully, mutual respect for the rights of others (although self-interested developers like to remove sidewalks to save money, leaving few opportunities to casually engage somebody in conversation – not to mention eliminating safe places for children to play. There are numerous areas like this in the Bolton area now).

These are just two of CPTED’s primary principles. There are, as you can imaging, many more. Though certainly not the only way in which crime can be dealt with today, CPTED represents some rather innovative thinking. Most proponents argue that when combined with other crime prevention measures, it actually becomes quite effective. Next week we’ll look at two more core ideas.

Suggested reading:
Oscar Newman. Creating Defensible Space.
Jane Jacobs. The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

About Patrick Parnaby
Patrick Parnaby is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sociology at McMaster University in Hamilton. His current research includes Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and the sociology of deviance. E-mail Patrick at patrick@mycaledon.com

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