NCJ Number
54057
Date Published
Unknown
Length
232 pages
Annotation
A COURSE FOR CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS ON CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN IS DOCUMENTED. IT EMPHASIZES PLANNING, ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND TERMINOLOGY, ZONING, AND ORDINANCES.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, AT THE PLANNING STAGE, IS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT THAT EMPHASIZES THE ELIMINATION OF CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE USE OF SOUND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PRACTICES AND GOOD PLANNING TECHNIQUES. CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS MUST BE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE AREAS OF ARCHITECTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, PLANNING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ZONING, SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES, CONSTRUCTION TERMINOLOGY, AND BLUEPRINT READING. INTERDISCIPLINARY UNDERSTANDING AND COORDINATION ARE ESSENTIAL IN DECIDING UPON THE APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN. DECISIONS MUST BE MADE THROUGH COLLABORATION AMONG POLICE, CONTRACTORS, DESIGNERS, AND ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS. DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND CRIME PREVENTION IN TEXAS ARE THE TEXAS SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS, THE TEXAS SOCIETY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING DESIGN, THE TEXAS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE NATIONAL BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. CRIME PREVENTION PLANNING, TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, IS AN APPROPRIATE FUNCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. IN PLANNING, COMMUNICATION WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IS NECESSARY. A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: LAND USE, PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, POPULATION, CIRCULATION AND TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES, ECONOMIC BASE AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS, SUMMARY OF ALL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS, CAPITAL BUDGET PROGRAM, AND REGULATORY MEASURES. CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES AND TO CAPTIAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMMING. INSPECTIONS BY THE POLICE ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO MAJOR TYPES: (1) BUILDING CODES ENFORCED BY LAW THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES; AND (2) FINANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANY STANDARDS DEVELOPED TO PROTECT THE VALUE OF THEIR INVESTMENTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE CONSIDER EXTERIOR DOORS, WINDOWS, ALARM SYSTEMS, AND DOOR VIEWERS IN THEIR INSPECTIONS. INFORMATION THAT POLICE SHOULD BE AWARE OF WITH REGARD TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND BLUEPRINT READING IS DETAILED, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A SAMPLE COMMERCIAL BUILDING PLAN, A SAMPLE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PLAN, CONSTRUCTION DETAILS AND PLAN SYMBOLS, AND A HANDBOOK OF CRIME PREVENTION BULLETINS. (DEP)