Newsletter Archive
This is the first in a series of e-newsletters designed to not only keep you updated on the work of the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition, but also to provide useful information on enhancing your safety and quality of life in Lancaster.
Let There Be Light!
Many people are familiar with National Night Out in America. Each summer in communities across the country neighbors turn on porch lights as a show of solidarity against crime. This year, on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 lights from Los Angeles to Lancaster will send a message of unity, neighborhood pride and a common purpose.
The simple act of neighbors turning on porch lights is not only symbolic; it’s actually part of the science behind CPTED. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED (pronounced “SEP-TED”) involves using space and the environment to deter criminal behavior. Florida State University criminologist C. Ray Jeffrey originated the term Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design in 1971 when he published his book of the same name.
It seems like common sense to assume that criminals will be attracted to places where they have a reduced chance of being caught. That’s why brightly lit areas are less frequently targeted by would-be burglars, car thieves or vandals. The same holds true for places that are more visible to onlookers who might be witnesses to a crime. The science of CPTED involves elements of criminology, psychology, architecture, landscaping and urban planning. Still, it can be as simple as screwing in a light bulb.
This year, the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition will offer a series of activities and events to educate Lancaster residents on the practical use of basic CPTED concepts. Dates and other details will be announced soon.
There is no magic solution to deterring and solving crimes in our community. Concerned neighbors joining with local law enforcement will certainly have a positive impact. Let’s work together to send a message that no night is a good night for crime in Lancaster. The first step may be as simple as screwing in a light bulb.
Learn more about CPTED by visiting the "Safety by Design" section of our website.
Sincerely,
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