Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of natural surveillance?

1. High fences

2. Security cameras

3. Windows overlooking public spaces

4. Guard patrols

The correct answer is: Windows overlooking public spaces

Natural surveillance refers to the design of a physical environment that maximizes visibility and observation of public spaces, making it more challenging for crime to occur unnoticed. The primary objective is to create an environment where potential offenders are deterred by the likelihood of being seen. Windows overlooking public spaces exemplify this concept effectively. They allow people in nearby buildings or homes to monitor activities outside, increasing the chance that any suspicious behavior will be observed. This visibility fosters a sense of safety and community vigilance. In contrast, high fences create barriers that can obstruct views, thereby reducing visibility and potentially providing cover for criminal activities. Security cameras, while effective for monitoring, rely on technology and can often lack the immediate, organic deterrence that natural surveillance provides. Guard patrols involve personnel actively monitoring an area, but they are dependent on human presence and may not provide the continuous, passive observation that natural surveillance does.