Managing Risk: CPTED Strategies for Neighborhoods

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) guidelines can be used in neighborhoods and can help create a safe environment—without the use of intimidating methods such as high fences. ¹ For instance, streets designed with gateway treatments, roundabouts, speed humps, and other “traffic calming” devices establish territories and discourage speeding and cut-through traffic. By keeping public areas observable, you are telling potential offenders that they should think twice before committing a crime. Criminals prefer low-risk situations, and public visibility increases the chances a perpetrator will be caught.