Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common technique used in CPTED for enhancing safety?

1. Providing areas for social gatherings

2. Using reflective materials on windows

3. Installing security systems in basements

4. Encouraging dense foliage around properties

The correct answer is: Providing areas for social gatherings

Providing areas for social gatherings is an effective technique used in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to enhance safety. This approach encourages community interaction and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. When people gather in public spaces, they create informal surveillance, which can deter criminal behavior due to increased visibility and the presence of community members. Additionally, these communal areas can be strategically placed to promote natural supervision while enhancing social cohesion among neighbors, making it less likely for crime to occur. In contrast, while reflective materials on windows may contribute to aesthetics or privacy, they can also create blind spots that obstruct visibility rather than enhance safety. Security systems in basements do play a role in overall safety but lack direct interaction with the broader community and may not deter crime in public spaces. Dense foliage, while potentially beneficial for privacy or landscaping, can also act as hiding places for criminal activity, reducing visibility and potentially increasing the risk of crime. Thus, creating areas for social gatherings aligns more closely with the principles of CPTED by promoting community engagement and natural surveillance.