Did you know that you can make your property safer and more secure simply by making some landscaping changes? It’s called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
CPTED is a set of design principles used to discourage crime and keep your property secure. CPTED principles anticipate how a potential offender thinks and creates an environment that helps prevent a crime from being committed on your property.
CPTED Principles Include:
Natural Surveillance
- Privacy trees provide cover for criminal activity.
- Landscape to create clear sightlines throughout your property.
- Use cameras and alarms to protect areas that are not visible or protected.
Territorial Reinforcement
- Clearly defined boundaries establish ownership of your property.
- Fences, landscaping and vegetation clearly define where public space ends and private property begins.
Maintenance
- Regular care and maintenance shows pride of ownership.
- Well maintained properties are less inviting for criminal activity.
Natural Access Control
- Use gates, fences and hostile vegetation (plants with thorns) to deter access from unwanted visitors.
- Clearly defined paths and driveways will direct welcomed visitors where you want them to go.
- People wandering off intended pathways will look suspicious and attract attention.
Lighting
- Use bright LED motion sensor lights outside.
- Make it easy for you and your neighbours to see suspicious people on your property.
If you would like a free assessment of your property, please call the Town of Ponoka at 403-783-4431.
