BARRY A. HORROBIN, B.A., M.A., CLEP, CMM-III
– Planner & Environmental Criminologist
The Key: Assessing Neighbourhoods Using a “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)” Lens
The whole issue of achieving optimized comfort and safety within any neighbourhood, whether it be those comprised entirely of residential properties or one that has a combination of residential, commercial, and other land uses, is often the goal of planners, police, residents, and property owners alike. Achieving this objective has been the aim throughout my career, most notably in relation to my work within the law enforcement profession, where safety and comfort are the key ingredients of a great neighbourhood.
A big reason for this is that neighbourhoods are effectively the “spokes” of every community’s “wheel”, cherished by those who reside, visit, or own property there. As such, they carry great weight in their importance as places where comfort and well-being hold significant value and the subsequent protection of them is therefore so important.
The application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a proven approach to enhancing physical environments in relation to safety and security. CPTED is defined as: “The proper design and effective use of the built environment, leading to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and disorder and an improvement in overall quality of life.” With a focus on the detailed examination of prevailing physical conditions, the primary goal is the optimization of comfort and social well-being of individuals and families who reside and visit there.
It thus begs the question: What is an easy-to-do activity we can participate together as common stakeholders to carefully examine the social and physical health of our neighbourhood? The answer is quite simple – by getting out and visually taking in the surroundings, at a human scale, through a purposeful walk with one another.
Neighbourhood safety walks also offer a clear picture of how well a particular area complies with municipal by-laws that exist to ensure these spaces are properly maintained for the safe enjoyment by everyone. From a safety perspective, the approach often taken is to look at these areas with a lens of “Environmental Criminology”, which involves the study of crime, criminality, and victimization as it relates, first, to particular places/spaces, and subsequently, to the manner in which individuals and groups shape their activities spatially. This results in users being influenced by place-based or spatial factors – or so called “ingredients” that combine to dictate how people can and/or will use both natural and built environments.
Assessing a Neighbourhood’s Safety by Walking it:
Stakeholder Perception of Crime & Disorder
Safety and security perception by citizens is critical, since this is their home where they spend the bulk of their time. In this regard, the incidence of problematic activity, or the perception of such by residents, will significantly influence how comfortable people feel and whether this is where they want to stay. One of the biggest benefits of the walk – the ability to “feel it”, is an important individualized barometer for residents to affirm their safety.
Criminogenic Factors Influencing Unlawful Behaviour
Criminogenic factors are those underlying conditions and situations that cause or are likely to cause criminal behaviour. These are strongly correlated to actual incidents of crime or disorder. While it is very difficult to pinpoint a single causal factor that may be triggering unlawful activity, it is not unreasonable to conclude that any combination of such factors is likely at play. These can include the presence of neighbourhood residents who have previous or ongoing records demonstrating criminal behaviour/actions, easy access to illegal substances that can cause harm, and physical vulnerability of properties, all of which make it more attractive for criminal gain by unlawful means. Recognizing criminogenic factors is key to taking measures to mitigate them.
Incidents Requiring Police Response & Intervention
The quantity and nature of the incidents that cause residents to call police provides a very good “social barometer” of prevailing conditions that affect safety and security. This data is invaluable in customizing actions taken to improve conditions for residents and visitors.
Impact on Economic & Social Well-Being
A community’s neighbourhoods collectively comprise its social “epicenter”. Vibrant neighbourhoods drive a community’s overall economic and social health where high levels of comfort by all stakeholders dictate how functionally valuable a particular area is and can be. Safety plays a prominent role in achieving this.
The most common physical improvements typically identified during safety walks that apply to most properties within a neighbourhood are the following:
- Installation of adequate, high quality lighting that produces a balanced output of illumination, complete with qualities that render the true colour and appearance of observed components and activity in key areas to encourage safety & comfort
- Proper care and physical maintenance of properties
- The ability for emergency responders to easily see a property’s address number from the road in order to optimize efficiency of emergency response capability
- Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed to maintain proper lines of sight
Walking a neighbourhood with its residents and visually taking in all its unique features can lead to making everyone feel safer and more comfortable
In conclusion, neighbourhood safety walks represent a simple yet effective way that citizens can examine their surroundings and make improvements where necessary. If we allow ourselves to be creative in how this can happen, the result will be community spaces that everyone can truly enjoy.
Barry Horrobin is a planner and practicing environmental criminologist and a board member of CPTED Canada who works in the law enforcement profession and as an independent consultant.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNERS
BARRY A. HORROBIN