Oscar Newman, in the 1970s, proposed that the design of our physical environment needed to encourage ownership and worth to its inhabitants. The fact that this was lacking in so many areas never allowed for citizens to feel a sense of responsibility for their surroundings (Lersch, 2011). Defensible space, an area that citizens feel they own, respect, and wish to defend, can be adapted by altering the design of these environments (Lersch, 2011).
In conjunction with defensible space and community policing, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) encourages the collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders in resolving issues that also include reshaping and reimagining the environment of neighborhoods, businesses, houses, and apartments (Roberg, 2009). CPTED includes three strategies in reforming community spaces. First, access control is the minimizing of contact between motivated offenders and targets through target hardening. The methods for achieving this vary from organized access control to mechanical access control, both including various implementations such as guards and locks. As well, natural access control is the manipulation of environments allowing for fewer access routes and pathways in reaching targets (Lersch, 2011). The second strategy, surveillance, is achieved both through mechanical and technological surveillance such as cameras and street lighting, but also through natural design such as landscaping, well-placed sitting areas, plentiful windows, and open lobbies (Lersch, 2011). Lastly, territorial reinforcement strongly relates to Newman’s ideas of a defensible space. Giving spaces a feeling of ownership to citizens allows for them to “police” these areas themselves, making these spaces unwelcome to outside offenders (Lersch, 2011).
Closely related to both defensible space and CPTED methods is situational crime prevention. This technique focuses generally on reducing opportunities to commit crime, as opportunity is a consistent causal factor in crime (Roberg, 2009). By increasing the risk and offender exertion, and reducing the reward potential, crime can possible be averted (Lersch, 2011). Though there are many facets and techniques in situational crime prevention, many of the notions mimic those used in CPTED, including target hardening, control access, and natural surveillance (Lersch, 2011). In addition to these strategies, situational crime prevention also encourages the removal of potential targets, the reduction of offender temptation, the identifying and labeling of property, rule setting, and the controlling of disinhibitors (Lersch, 2011). Though each situation is unique in policing approach, these universal standards allow for the general implementation in many different areas and for many different crime types.
From the theoretical background of social disorganization in inner cities, to the rationalization of crime, to the standards by which neighborhoods can defend themselves against crime, this website presents a very general overview. We are an ever-changing, ever-learning society that adapts to new theories, new policing methods, and new defense tactics. However, we still draw from the old and bring into the new. With these basic overviews, one can draw new and reformed conclusions in the constant battle against crime and criminality.
In conjunction with defensible space and community policing, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) encourages the collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders in resolving issues that also include reshaping and reimagining the environment of neighborhoods, businesses, houses, and apartments (Roberg, 2009). CPTED includes three strategies in reforming community spaces. First, access control is the minimizing of contact between motivated offenders and targets through target hardening. The methods for achieving this vary from organized access control to mechanical access control, both including various implementations such as guards and locks. As well, natural access control is the manipulation of environments allowing for fewer access routes and pathways in reaching targets (Lersch, 2011). The second strategy, surveillance, is achieved both through mechanical and technological surveillance such as cameras and street lighting, but also through natural design such as landscaping, well-placed sitting areas, plentiful windows, and open lobbies (Lersch, 2011). Lastly, territorial reinforcement strongly relates to Newman’s ideas of a defensible space. Giving spaces a feeling of ownership to citizens allows for them to “police” these areas themselves, making these spaces unwelcome to outside offenders (Lersch, 2011).
Closely related to both defensible space and CPTED methods is situational crime prevention. This technique focuses generally on reducing opportunities to commit crime, as opportunity is a consistent causal factor in crime (Roberg, 2009). By increasing the risk and offender exertion, and reducing the reward potential, crime can possible be averted (Lersch, 2011). Though there are many facets and techniques in situational crime prevention, many of the notions mimic those used in CPTED, including target hardening, control access, and natural surveillance (Lersch, 2011). In addition to these strategies, situational crime prevention also encourages the removal of potential targets, the reduction of offender temptation, the identifying and labeling of property, rule setting, and the controlling of disinhibitors (Lersch, 2011). Though each situation is unique in policing approach, these universal standards allow for the general implementation in many different areas and for many different crime types.
From the theoretical background of social disorganization in inner cities, to the rationalization of crime, to the standards by which neighborhoods can defend themselves against crime, this website presents a very general overview. We are an ever-changing, ever-learning society that adapts to new theories, new policing methods, and new defense tactics. However, we still draw from the old and bring into the new. With these basic overviews, one can draw new and reformed conclusions in the constant battle against crime and criminality.