Fighting crime by design
By Denise Walker Vedder
Safer by design. That's the motto of the Carlsbad Police Department's Crime Prevention Specialist Jodee Sasway, who has been preventing crime by careful design for 15 years.
Sasway is an expert in the field known as "Crime Prevention through Environmental Design" or "CPTED." CPTED is a crime prevention philosophy based on the theory that using the right design elements in the built environment reduces the risk of crime, which leads to a reduction in the fear of crime and ultimately crime itself. CPTED concepts are proven to work and are well accepted internationally.
Along with putting good locks on doors, CPTED uses naturally incorporated design techniques to encourage surveillance, territoriality, a clear definition of public and private space and neighborhood collaboration. When done correctly, these design choices make criminals uncomfortable in neighborhoods where they can be seen, especially when the residents are working together.
As part of the planning review process in the City of Carlsbad, Sasway reviews both residential and commercial projects and offers planners her recommendations. But it does not stop there; if the project is already built Sasway will consult with the owner on ways to improve its current condition.
When LEGOLAND was in the planning phase, Sasway provided information on environmental design in an effort to incorporate the principles into the park. Sasway's projects have ranged from new schools and walking trails to new commercial buildings and residential tracks.
While there is no City ordinance requiring the implementation of Sasway's recommendations, most builders see the advantage of applying her expert advice. And Sasway is delighted. "Many community designers are also using the CPTED concepts. In newly designed residential communities, there are many elements that encourage activity or neighborhood collaboration, and the natural flow of people, cul-de-sacs, front porches, home offices, tot-lots, community centers, cluster mailboxes and internal walking trails all encourage good neighborly behavior," says Sasway.
The redesign of our residential communities to encourage community spirit and communication in the City of Carlsbad and elsewhere is seeing real results. The rate of residential burglary has significantly decreased in the past 15 years. It is now much more difficult for a criminal to move unnoticed through our neighborhoods, especially when people know each other and are out and about. Anyone can adopt some of these proven concepts in their homes or businesses. For example, Sasway says surveillance is the No. 1 deterrent to crime.
"The ability to see and be seen, by day and by night, is critical," she explains. "If you put up six-foot solid walls, or your landscaping obscures your view or detracts from lighting, you could be increasing your risk for crime. Even the placement of a building on the land and what is around it is important.
"Lighting is an equally important element and plays a role in surveillance," says Sasway. "Most houses are dark outside at night. I recommend small changes such as lights on timers or sensors to light up the perimeter of your home. Most criminals do not want to be seen and do not want to stand in a light to tamper with a window or door. Also, lights on timers inside your home give the impression you are at home.
Security oriented landscaping can help in difficult areas."
Landscaping can look pretty, but also prevent access or loitering. Choose a low level ground cover that has thorns for a bank, which discourages people from walking through it, advises Sasway. These and many other CPTED based home security suggestions are available in a "Home Security Guide" on the City's Web site or at the Police Department.
All of this sounds simple, but Sasway says it's taken her several years to be comfortable practicing the CPTED philosophy. "When I went to my first classes, I was overwhelmed," said Sasway. "There was a lot of information all at once about a very valuable subject and I wanted to do the best I could for the Community of Carlsbad." Sasway has since earned a Master's degree in Organizational Management and wrote her thesis on the effectiveness of crime prevention programs.
Carlsbad Police Lieutenant Don Rawson sees the difference Sasway has made in the city and has nothing but praise for her work. "She's trying to mitigate an opportunity for crime to occur while plans are on the drawing board. She thinks way beyond the level of the job," said Rawson.
Sasway is thrilled by the changes she's seen during her time on the job. "I can see a change in Carlsbad and the way things are designed. Coming up with creative solutions to problems that can reduce a community member's risk of victimization makes you feel great," she added.
Sasway's Crime Prevention Guides, including design tips to help make your environment safer, are available on the City of Carlsbad Web site at . You may also email Sasway for a copy at or call her at (760) 931-2105.
By Denise Walker Vedder
Safer by design. That's the motto of the Carlsbad Police Department's Crime Prevention Specialist Jodee Sasway, who has been preventing crime by careful design for 15 years.
Sasway is an expert in the field known as "Crime Prevention through Environmental Design" or "CPTED." CPTED is a crime prevention philosophy based on the theory that using the right design elements in the built environment reduces the risk of crime, which leads to a reduction in the fear of crime and ultimately crime itself. CPTED concepts are proven to work and are well accepted internationally.
Along with putting good locks on doors, CPTED uses naturally incorporated design techniques to encourage surveillance, territoriality, a clear definition of public and private space and neighborhood collaboration. When done correctly, these design choices make criminals uncomfortable in neighborhoods where they can be seen, especially when the residents are working together.
As part of the planning review process in the City of Carlsbad, Sasway reviews both residential and commercial projects and offers planners her recommendations. But it does not stop there; if the project is already built Sasway will consult with the owner on ways to improve its current condition.
When LEGOLAND was in the planning phase, Sasway provided information on environmental design in an effort to incorporate the principles into the park. Sasway's projects have ranged from new schools and walking trails to new commercial buildings and residential tracks.
While there is no City ordinance requiring the implementation of Sasway's recommendations, most builders see the advantage of applying her expert advice. And Sasway is delighted. "Many community designers are also using the CPTED concepts. In newly designed residential communities, there are many elements that encourage activity or neighborhood collaboration, and the natural flow of people, cul-de-sacs, front porches, home offices, tot-lots, community centers, cluster mailboxes and internal walking trails all encourage good neighborly behavior," says Sasway.
The redesign of our residential communities to encourage community spirit and communication in the City of Carlsbad and elsewhere is seeing real results. The rate of residential burglary has significantly decreased in the past 15 years. It is now much more difficult for a criminal to move unnoticed through our neighborhoods, especially when people know each other and are out and about. Anyone can adopt some of these proven concepts in their homes or businesses. For example, Sasway says surveillance is the No. 1 deterrent to crime.
"The ability to see and be seen, by day and by night, is critical," she explains. "If you put up six-foot solid walls, or your landscaping obscures your view or detracts from lighting, you could be increasing your risk for crime. Even the placement of a building on the land and what is around it is important.
"Lighting is an equally important element and plays a role in surveillance," says Sasway. "Most houses are dark outside at night. I recommend small changes such as lights on timers or sensors to light up the perimeter of your home. Most criminals do not want to be seen and do not want to stand in a light to tamper with a window or door. Also, lights on timers inside your home give the impression you are at home.
Security oriented landscaping can help in difficult areas."
Landscaping can look pretty, but also prevent access or loitering. Choose a low level ground cover that has thorns for a bank, which discourages people from walking through it, advises Sasway. These and many other CPTED based home security suggestions are available in a "Home Security Guide" on the City's Web site or at the Police Department.
All of this sounds simple, but Sasway says it's taken her several years to be comfortable practicing the CPTED philosophy. "When I went to my first classes, I was overwhelmed," said Sasway. "There was a lot of information all at once about a very valuable subject and I wanted to do the best I could for the Community of Carlsbad." Sasway has since earned a Master's degree in Organizational Management and wrote her thesis on the effectiveness of crime prevention programs.
Carlsbad Police Lieutenant Don Rawson sees the difference Sasway has made in the city and has nothing but praise for her work. "She's trying to mitigate an opportunity for crime to occur while plans are on the drawing board. She thinks way beyond the level of the job," said Rawson.
Sasway is thrilled by the changes she's seen during her time on the job. "I can see a change in Carlsbad and the way things are designed. Coming up with creative solutions to problems that can reduce a community member's risk of victimization makes you feel great," she added.
Sasway's Crime Prevention Guides, including design tips to help make your environment safer, are available on the City of Carlsbad Web site at . You may also email Sasway for a copy at or call her at (760) 931-2105.