Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED provides us with an opportunity to design safer communities by reducing opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of structures or in the design of neighborhoods. The notion that the physical environment can either increase or reduce the opportunities for crime is not new. There is general understanding that if the environment is planned, designed and managed properly, certain types of crimes can be reduced and quality of life improves.

The CPTED premise is:
“The proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life.”

The goal of the United States Designing Out Crime Association is to promote the implementation of CPTED strategies through out the United States. This can be accomplished by;

• Supporting associations that promote Design Out Crime strategies.
• Providing a forum for public and private professionals from a variety of disciplines for the exchange of CPTED principles, ideas, and best practices.
• Supporting opportunities for technical workshops on CPTED and related topics through the United States.
• Providing a membership network.
• Providing information on training and conferences.
  
  
  
  For more information contact Art Hushen at art@nicp.net or www.nicp.net