NCJ Number
127110
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Fall 1990) Pages: 9-13
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is being used successfully in schools and communities to improve the management of human space.
Abstract
One of the first steps in the design or redesign of school layouts is to conduct a CPTED assessment that addresses the problems of designation, definition, and design. Observation has shown that the design and use of school facilities have a direct relationship to code of conduct violations and criminal behavior. The school environment locations established as the most significant problem areas from a CPTED perspective are school grounds, parking lots, locker rooms, corridors, restrooms, and classrooms. CPTED is based upon the theory that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can reduce the incidence and fear of crime. A key CPTED strategy is to relocate gathering areas to locations with natural surveillance and access control or to locations away from the view of would-be offenders. Other strategies include redesignating the use of space to provide natural barriers for conflicting activities and providing clear borders for controlled space.