Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

 

CPTED is a concept that seeks to utilize planned passive resources such as architectural barriers, landscaping, and lighting to reduce the necessity of traditional technical and operational security elements to lessen vulnerability to crime.

 

The following key concepts of CPTED are used to enhance security at a property:

• Natural Access Control: Use of doors, fences, shrubbery and other man-made and natural obstacles to limit access to a building or other defined space.

• Natural Surveillance: Increasing visibility by occupants and casual observers (police, others) to increase the detection of trespassers or misconduct within a facility.

• Natural & Structural Boundary Definition: Establishing a sense of ownership by property owners or building occupants to increase vigilance in identifying trespassers. This sends the message that would-be-offenders will be identified.

Concentric Zones of Protection (CZP)

 

The concept of “Concentric Zones or Blocks of Protection” is based on varying levels of protection originating at the surrounding landscape, site perimeter, building perimeter, lobby areas and interior controlled areas, becoming increasingly more stringent as one proceeds through each level to reach the most critical secured areas.

 

This concept has been modified by introducing “Intervention Zones.” These intervention zones provide an opportunity for control (Fence, Locked Doors), detection (Door Contacts, Motion Sensors), evaluation (Cameras), and response (Security or Police) to undesired activity, intruders or other unauthorized individuals entering secured areas.

Integrated Design Philosophy (IDP)

 

The Integrated Design Philosophy establishes effective security through the integration of electronic systems with architectural elements, enhanced by security staff and procedures. When the integration of these elements is effectively executed, a synergy is created that meets the required level of security.

 

• Physical: Architectural security measures that include items such as perimeter barriers, exterior lighting, critical building services, spatial adjacencies and control barriers.

• Technical: Electronic security measures which address items such as automated access control, perimeter alarm monitoring, closed circuit television, intercom, etc.

• Operational: Personnel security measures implemented to adequately staff critical areas within the facility with trained security personnel and to modify human behavior through security policy and procedure improvements and direction.