PORTLAND (OR) CURBS CRIME THROUGH URBAN DESIGN

• NCJ Number: 45805
• Author(s): L BELL; K O'KANE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc of Planning Officials
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM PLANNING MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 1977 FOR THE WESTINGHOUSE NATIONAL ISSUES CENTER

Annotation

A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN PORTLAND, ORE., AIMED AT PREVENTING CRIME THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, SPONSORED BY LEAA AND CONDUCTED BY AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CONSORTIUM OF PROFESSIONAL FIRMS, IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE $4 MILLION PROGRAM WAS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT PROPER DESIGN AND EFFECTIVE USE OF ENVIRONMENTS CAN REDUCE PREDATORY CRIMES (BURGLARY, ROBBERY, ASSAULT, PURSESNATCHING) AMONG STRANGERS. THE PROJECT INCLUDED SOCIAL PLANNING, PHYSICAL PLANNING, AND PROGRAMS FOR MOBILIZING CITIZEN EFFORTS. CALLED CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED), THE PROJECT WAS CONDUCTED IN A BUSINESS STRIP ALONG UNION AVENUE. THE SITE HAD A CRIME RATE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THE CITY AS A WHOLE AND WAS CHARACTERIZED BY VACANT LOTS AND DERELICT STRUCTURES. THE CITY WAS PLANNING TO REDEVELOP THE AREA, HOWEVER. CPTED USED SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AIMED AT INCREASING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VITALITY TO INCREASE LOCAL PRIDE, INCREASING AREA IDENTITY, AND MOBILIZING CITIZEN CONCERN AND SUPPORT. A SUNDAY MARKET, MEETINGS WITH BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES, A CLEANUP DAY, AND CLEARING OF DERELICT STRUCTURES WERE AMONG PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN. PERSONAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS INCLUDED IMPROVED STREET LIGHTING, RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS, UPGRADING OF BUS SERVICE, AND EMERGENCY PHONES AT BUS STOPS. PROPERTY DEFENSE MEASURES INCLUDED LOCKS AND SECURITY PLANNING. INTERVIEWS WITH SOME UNION AVENUE BUSINESSMEN AND RESIDENTS INDICATED THAT THE PROGRAM HAS PROMOTED A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION AMONG AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS, STIMULATED CITIZEN INTEREST, IMPROVED THE AREA'S IMAGE, AND IMPROVED BUSINESS. IN ADDITION, REPORTED BURGLARIES ALONG UNION AVENUE DROPPED 36 PERCENT FROM 1975 TO 1976, COMPARED TO A FOUR PERCENT DROP CITYWIDE. ALTHOUGH WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY STILL FEAR CRIME, BUSINESSMEN'S AND CITIZENS' FEAR OF CRIME SEEMS TO HAVE DROPPED. MOST CITIZENS HAVE NOTICED THE AREA'S PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS. PROGRESS, ALTHOUGH SLOW, SEEMS ENCOURAGING. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)