NCJ Number
52889
Date Published
1978
Length
61 pages
Annotation
A TWO-STAGE PROCESS IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL SECURITY AT THE SUMNER-OLSON HOUSING AREA, A 758-UNIT PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT IN MINNEAPOLIS. THE MAIN PROBLEMS WERE BURGLARY, VANDALISM, AND ROBBERY.
Abstract
FOLLOWING AN OVERVIEW OF THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME IN THE SUMNER-OLSON PROJECT, THE METHODOLOGY USED TO DEVELOP THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS REVIEWED. IT WAS FOUND THAT MANY OF THE WINDOWS WERE SO WARPED THAT THEY COULD NOT BE LOCKED, THAT MANY OF THE DOORS WERE INADEQUATE AGAINST FORCED ENTRY, AND THAT LOCKING HARDWARE WAS INADEQUATE. SURVEILLANCE PROBLEMS WERE ALSO IDENTIFIED. THE PHYSICAL DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS COVER DOORS, DOOR HARDWARE, SECURITY SCREENS, WINDOW-LOCKING HARDWARE, FENCES, FOLIAGE, AND LIGHTING. DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE INDICATED IN THE DISCUSSION. THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT VACANT UNITS BE PROTECTED ON A RANDOM BASIS BY A PORTABLE STAKEOUT ALARM AND THAT LOCKS ON ALL VACANT UNITS BE REKEYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TENANTS LEAVE. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE SECURITY FORCE DEVELOP A SYSTEM FOR REPORTING SECURITY DEFICIENCIES AND THAT TIGHTER CONTROL BE MAINTAINED OVER ALL KEYS. APPENDIXES PRESENT THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT, RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PORTABLE STAKEOUT ALARMS. TABLES PRESENT COST ESTIMATES. (GLR)