Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practice Exam

What is a primary goal of natural access control?

1. To enhance property aesthetics

2. To direct movement and reduce opportunities for crime

3. To increase public interaction

4. To promote community events

The correct answer is: To direct movement and reduce opportunities for crime

Natural access control is a key concept in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) that focuses on the strategies used to limit access to certain areas and guide the movement of individuals within a space. The primary goal is to create an environment that naturally leads people towards entry points and designated pathways while discouraging unwanted or suspicious behaviors that may lead to criminal activity. This can be achieved through the placement of physical barriers such as fences, gates, or landscaping that effectively direct pedestrian flow and monitor access points. By reducing the opportunities for crime through targeted movement, natural access control simultaneously enhances the feeling of safety for legitimate users of a space. When individuals are directed along well-lit paths and the visibility of potential hiding places is minimized, it becomes more difficult for criminal activities to occur, making it a critical aspect of crime prevention strategies.