DEFENSIBLE SPACE - A POLICE OFFICER'S VIEW (FROM SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF DELINQUENCY - PLANNING FOR DELINQUENCY? - WHO PREVENTS CRIME? - A REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES...SEE NCJ-64222)

• NCJ Number: 64224
• Author(s): A MACKENZIE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Scottish Assoc for the Study of Delinquency
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

POLICE RECOMMEND THAT URBAN CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO VANDALISM, REQUIRE COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE, ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, AND TENANTS IN DESIGNING AND IMPROVING HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES.

Abstract

VAST SUMS SPENT ON BUILDING AND IMPROVING URBAN HOUSING PROJECTS WILL NOT DETER CRIME WITHOUT CAREFUL TOWN AND BUILDING PLANNING. ISOLATED AND IMPERSONAL CONDITIONS IN LARGE APARTMENT BUILDINGS, OPEN GROUNDS, AND LACK OF BUSY STREETS OR INCONVENIENTLY PLACED SHOPS AND RECREATION FACILITIES OFTEN DETRACT FROM TENANTS' RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HOMES. RESULTING CARELESSNESS AND NEGLECT FOSTER OR ENCOURAGE CRIME. POLICE SHOULD ADVISE DESIGNERS ON THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS. BECAUSE CRITICS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURAL TRENDS IN URBAN HOUSING POINT OUT THAT CRIME IS DISCOURAGED BY NETWORKS OF SOCIAL RELATIONS IN COMMUNITIES REMAINING SMALL, THESE NETWORKS SHOULD BE CREATED AND ENCOURAGED THOUGH THE DESIGN OF SMALL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS AND SHOPS ON MANY BUSY, WELL-LIT STREETS RATHER THAN LARGE, HIGH-RISE DWELLINGS SURROUNDED BY MUCH OPEN RECREATIONAL GROUND. HOWEVER, CHANGES IN PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT WILL NOT ALONE DETER DELINQUENT JUVENILES, WHO NEED MANY STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES AS WELL. INCREASES IN CRIME TIED TO BUILDING HEIGHT OR COMMUNITY SIZE REQUIRE COMMUNITY CRIME-WATCHING. EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFULLY AND INADEQUATELY PLANNED COMMUNITIES ARE PRESENTED. ALSO, HOUSING MANAGERS MUST CAREFULLY CHOOSE TENANTS. (PAP)