Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments. CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among inhabitants so they can gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime, and minimize fear of crime. CPTED is pronounced ‘sep-ted’ and it is also known around the world as Designing Out Crime, defensible space, and other similar terms.

CPTED DEFINED

The proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear of crime and the incidence of crime, and to improvement in the quality of life.

CPTED’s goal is to prevent crime through designing a physical environment that positively influences human behavior – people who use the area regularly perceive it as safe, and would-be criminals see the area as a highly risky place to commit crime.

CPTED promotes design principles that encourage safe behavior and reduce the opportunities for crime to occur. Applying CPTED starts by asking the following questions:
1. What are the designated purposes of the space?
2. How is the space defined?
3. How well does the physical design support the intended function?

Access Control

Territoriality

SURVELLIANCE

Why Are Police Departments Using CPTED Strategies?

Benefits of CPTED
Community Policing
Long-Term Solutions
Reduced calls for service

The Fairfield Police Department is dedicated to reducing the fear and incidence of crime as well as improving the quality of life by promoting the principles of CPTED by combing expertise from Code Enforcement, Patrol, Crime Prevention and Administration. We offer free CPTED reviews for new development, existing structures, residential and commercial. Contact Crime Prevention to schedule a CPTED for your property.

Fairfield, CA

Documents

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

Why Are Police Departments Using CPTED Strategies?