Home security and your environment

The target-hardening approach to crime prevention through lock hardware and security systems is a must. This traditional approach complemented with the concept of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) will greatly reduce unwanted intruders.

CPTED is based on the theory that proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in crime. The best time to apply this philosophy is in the design phase, before a building or neighborhood is built.

However, you can always successfully apply these designs to retrofit an existing environment.

• Keeping your property well lit at night with automatic timers or photocell spotlights definitely helps to deter intruders.
• Plant and maintain decorative shrubbery which is neatly trimmed, especially under windows and around doors.
• Plant low private hedges around the perimeter of your property or install fences that will provide a border, but will not block the view.
• Keep shrubs trimmed below your windowsill so you can easily look out on to your property and eliminate hiding places for intruders.
• Replace solid stockade-type fences with more open fencing to eliminate hiding places and extend your view.
• Keep trees trimmed to get maximum illumination from street lights and move your parking area so your vehicle is in front of your home, or in a position that is easily observed by you or your neighbor.
• Re-design the walkway to your house so that people using the walkway are always in plain view.

It's always a good idea to control how people enter your property. This is done by limiting the number of ways people can gain access on to your property.

• You should frame your backyard with shrubs or fencing forcing people to use a gate or well defined walkway.
• Add a gate with a latch to your front yard fence creating somewhat of an obstacle to enter your property. Reclaim vacant lots for community gardens or parks.

Another good idea is to encourage neighborhood outdoor activities to maintain a strong presence on the street. Events like block parties, clean-ups and garage sales help keep neighbors out on the street and burglars away.

Stay involved with developers and city authorities on new construction in your area. Try to work with business owners to help them increase their natural surveillance abilities and ask questions of strangers who don't belong in your space. Get together with neighbors and local police to form a Block Watch. Keep your home clean and well maintained.

No single technique in environmental design will work to eliminate crime in every case. We must re-think how our environment may be contributing to criminal opportunity. Only then can we make the necessary changes in the most attractive and natural way possible.