This study was designed to collect comprehensive data on
the types of "crime prevention through environmental design" (CPTED)
methods used by cities of 30,000 population and larger, the extent to
which these methods were used, and their perceived effectiveness. A
related goal was to discern trends, variations, and expansion of CPTED
principles traditionally employed in crime prevention and
deterrence. "Security by design" stems from the theory that proper
design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a
reduction in the incidence and fear of crime and an improvement in
quality of life. Examples are improving street lighting in high-crime
locations, traffic re-routing and control to hamper drug trafficking
and other crimes, inclusion of security provisions in city building
codes, and comprehensive review of planned development to ensure
careful consideration of security. To gather these data, the United
States Conference of Mayors (USCM), which had previously studied a
variety of issues including the fear of crime, mailed a survey to the
mayors of 1,060 cities in 1994. Follow-up surveys were sent in 1995
and 1996. The surveys gathered information about the role of CPTED in
a variety of local government policies and procedures, local
ordinances, and regulations relating to building, local development,
and zoning. Information was also collected on processes that offered
opportunities for integrating CPTED principles into local development
or redevelopment and the incorporation of CPTED into decisions about
the location, design, and management of public facilities. Questions
focused on whether the city used CPTED principles, which CPTED
techniques were used (architectural features, landscaping and
landscape materials, land-use planning, physical security devices,
traffic circulation systems, or other), the city department with
primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with CPTED zoning
ordinances/building codes and other departments that actively
participated in that enforcement (mayor's office, fire department,
public works department, planning department, city manager, economic
development office, police department, building department, parks and
recreation, zoning department, city attorney, community development
office, or other), the review process for proposed development,
security measures for public facilities, traffic diversion and
control, and urban beautification programs. Respondents were also
asked about other security-by-design features being used, including
whether they were mandatory or optional, if optional, how they were
instituted (legislation, regulation, state building code, or other),
and if applicable, how they were legislated (city ordinance, city
resolution, or state law). Information was also collected on the
perceived effectiveness of each technique, if local development
regulations existed regarding convenience stores, if joint code
enforcement was in place, if banks, neighborhood groups, private
security agencies, or other groups were involved in the traffic
diversion and control program, and the responding city's population,
per capita income, and form of government.