ABSTRACT
The opinion of most security practitioners is that there is a relationship between appropriate lighting and crime, and that appropriate exterior lighting helps to make an area "feel" safe, and may reduce crime as well as the fear of crime. The basic premise is that better lighting will deter offenders who would commit a crime if the area was in darkness. It is important to remember that lighting is just one component of an effective physical security plan along with good environmental design. When designing outdoor lighting, security practitioners and law enforcement professionals should ensure that they consider placement, intensity, timing, duration, and color. If lighting is designed incorrectly, there will be unsafe glare that may interfere with facial recognition, cause accidents, and reduce visibility. Lighting that is inappropriate or excessive, wastes natural resources, and can pollute the air and water if the source of the electricity supplying the energy is derived from fossil fuels.
