What is an example of natural access control in crime prevention?

Natural access control focuses on guiding and influencing the movement of people through the physical environment. The strategic placement of sidewalks that directs individuals along specific, designated pathways exemplifies this concept well. By designing these pathways thoughtfully, it becomes easier to manage foot traffic and ensure that pedestrians are funneled through areas that may have increased surveillance or visibility, thereby reducing opportunities for criminal behavior.

This approach enhances safety by enabling better observation and discourages unwanted or unauthorized access to specific areas. In contrast, other choices reflect different aspects of security measures; for example, consistent lighting improves visibility but does not inherently guide pedestrian movement, while security cameras focus primarily on monitoring rather than controlling access. Barbed wire fences are more about physical barriers and can create a more hostile environment, which is contrary to the principles of natural access control that aim to invite and direct legitimate use of spaces.