Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), pronounced “sep-ted,” is based on a theory that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime and an improvement in the quality of life. In other words, if a site is laid out well, and used properly, the likelihood of it being targeted for a crime may be reduced.

The traditional target-hardening approach to crime prevention employs mechanical barriers such as locks, alarms, fences, and gates. Yet there are more natural approaches to access control and surveillance. A combination of environmental design and cooperation among citizens and police can do a great deal toward curbing crime.

Design Strategies

These are three strategies for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED):

1. Access Control: This includes fences, guards, locks, and computerized card entry systems. Natural strategies for access control employ spatial definition and circulation patterns, the focus of which is to deny access to and challenge unwanted visitors.
   
   
2. Surveillance Strategies: These include police and guard patrols, bright lighting, CCTV, windows, low landscaping, and raised entrances.
   
   
3. Territorial Strategies: Included among these strategies are neighborhood crime watches, perimeter sensing systems, fences, walls, and landscaping. These methods are designed to make intruders feel unsafe and unwelcome since clear boundaries make it obvious they are intruding in someone else's territory.

For more information, see the pamphlet "Safety By Design: Creating a Safer Environment in Virginia" (.pdf, 5 pages). This pamphlet is a product of DCJS, the Virginia Crime Prevention Association, and The Virginia CPTED Committee.

CPTED Promotion in Virginia

DCJS helps promote CPTED in Virginia by supporting the Virginia Crime Prevention Association which conducts classes in Basic CPTED. DCJS also supports the Virginia CPTED Committee by providing a representative on the committee and providing resources. DCJS has trained over 300 people in "CPTED & Schools" which has included planners, police officers, school officials, School Resource Officers, arborists, landscape architects, architects. DCJS will continue to promote and support CPTED training, resources, and other initiatives relating to this program.

More Information

For more information, visit the Virginia CPTED Committee website or contact:

Rick Arrington
Phone: 804.371.0863
Cell Phone: 804.840.7784
Email