NCJ Number
143817
Date Published
1993
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This monograph chronicles the experience of Sarasota, Florida, with crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and offers insights into the potential it holds for improving the quality of life elsewhere.
Abstract
Sarasota's 1989 city plan identified the need for an indepth study of the North Tamiami Trail corridor, an area characterized by "mom and pop" motels, prostitution, and drug crimes. A CPTED task force was organized to acquire baseline data on land use characteristics, demographics, and reported crime in the study area. Crime analysis, accomplished via business and residential surveys, revealed strong perceptions of criminal presence; street prostitution was the most visible indication of crime. Lack of exterior and parking lot lighting and maintenance of major shopping areas contributed to negative perceptions. Poorly designed and maintained buffers between commercial and residential areas represented another factor in the area's poor appearance. Lack of proper maintenance and excessive overgrowth around lighting fixtures on streets and in alleys also reduced visibility and added to fear of crime at night. In addition to the surveys, the CPTED task force reviewed crime incidents and calls for police services for 1988, 1989, and the first 9 months of 1990. Redevelopment constraints and city responses to the crime problem were examined, and a CPTED review was mandated to address several areas of safety. CPTED requirements focused on permitted land uses and conditions of use, maintenance, lighting, minimum yard requirements, maximum height of structures, off-street parking, pedestrian-related design, landscaping, and buffers. In 1991, Sarasota's City Commission adopted the CPTED concept, proposed land development and redevelopment projects, and laid the foundation for amendments to codes and ordinances for citywide implementation. Lessons learned from the CPTED task force in Sarasota are discussed. An appendix contains the North Trail Zoning District Ordinance. 3 endnotes, 4 tables, and 3 figures