Maintenance

A well maintained home, building or community creates a sense of ownership. A well kept area tends to make someone feel like they will be observed by neighbors or business owners as it is obvious people care about the area.

Some common environmental design issues that can lead to criminal activity include:

• Inadequate or misdirected lighting that creates dark areas

• Solid or excessively high fences that obstruct view lines

• Vacant lots full of weeds or debris, lack of trash cans and litter receptacles

• Inappropriate or poorly maintained vegetation, including too low tree canopies

• Lack of natural surveillance points created by blank exterior walls or bricked-in windows

• Unsecured walkthrough areas between dwellings in attached housing

Trees should be trimmed at least 8 feet above the ground. Bushes should be trimmed to less than 3 feet in height, or where higher plants would not block any views, light, or provide hiding places. For example, higher bushes or trees with lower canopies could be planted next to a blank wall or the side of a building.

Protection against graffiti can be obtained by planting vines and thorny bushes next to the sides of buildings, walls, and other design elements that could be vandalized.

Graffiti-resistant paint or anti-graffiti coatings should be used on the sides of the building, walls, and any other design elements that could be vandalized.  Murals on buildings, walls, and other design elements promote neighborhood pride and identity. They also help to deter graffiti.

This picture shows how an area can look when it is not maintened. Criminals can take advantage so this space to commit more crimes because they feel it is less likely for them to be caught.

This picture shows how an area can look when it is well maintened. Plants can deter people from writing grafitti on walls and windows give the impression that you could be seen at any time.