NCJ Number
196568
Journal
Campus Safety Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 48-51
Date Published
August 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes how a Florida university applied principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) to create a safer campus.
Abstract
Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, was forced to take a hard look at the crime problem and its causation on campus after a female student was sexually assaulted in her campus dorm by an unknown assailant. The university sponsored a security study of the campus, which was conducted in conjunction with a private consulting firm. The security/CPTED survey of the campus analyzed the perimeter boundaries, security systems used on campus, and policies and practices of the contracted security staff. The survey found that the primary weak link of campus security was a lack of boundary definition and territorial reinforcement. The existing 4-foot high walls that surrounded parts of the campus were not sufficient barriers to the outside streets and unauthorized access. In some areas there were no walls at all. Combined with overgrown foliage that hindered natural surveillance, these perimeter walls and plantings created a security threat and attraction for criminals. Following the survey and analysis in 1995, improvements and modifications were made to the campus in 1997 and 1998. Before any construction began on the sidewalks and fencing, additional parking was constructed to provide a legitimate place for the displaced cars. With the parking in place, the construction of the perimeter fencing and sidewalks prevented illegal parking on the easement properties. The change in parking patterns dramatically reduced the vulnerability of cars and people to burglaries and theft. A see-through, 7-foot metal gating was installed around the perimeter of the campus, and the parking lots established a defensible boundary and created a sense of territoriality. The perimeter fence had carefully located gates for controlled access, which presented the opportunity to monitor persons entering and leaving the campus. Guard stations at strategic points of entry screened and assisted incoming vehicles. The border of the campus was landscaped in a way that promoted visibility and casual observation from legitimate users and guardians. Campus policy was also modified to provide a more secure environment after hours. The Barry University CPTED study offers other campuses a model of how to confront security issues.