21st Century Security and CPTED, 2nd Edition

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Conducting a CPTED Survey

Randall I. Atlas

Without fail, the rst step in improving security on a property is conducting a security survey. The

security survey includes the elements described in earlier chapters: risk, threat, and vulnerability

analysis. There are more versions of security surveys and checklists than there are alligators in

the Everglades. The challenge is to determine which methodology to use. Several accepted meth-

odologies for risk analysis and vulnerability assessments exist. The Sandia Labs Risk Assessment

Methodology is available for several different types of environments: water and dams, infrastructure,

cities, and more. The Homeland Security Critical Assessment methodology of HLS-Cam is another.

The ISC/GSA security methodology has been available for federal buildings. The Department of

Defense has their survey form and methodology as part of UFC, and the recent FEMA 426 publica-

tion, Mitigating the Impact on Terrorism, has survey forms. Our book proposes the ATRIM risk

model for assessments. Companies now sell security survey software for use on laptops and palm

pilots. But the questions remain as to how user-friendly they are, and will you really use the survey?

I conduct crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) surveys on many build-

ings and facilities and sometimes use a checklist. But, no matter how user-friendly the checklist, it

always seems cumbersome and does not reect the subtleties of the existing conditions. In addition,

writing legible, worthwhile comments in little square boxes is next to impossible. The survey check-

list and prepackaged software does not capture the real essence of the conditions being surveyed.

So how does a layperson or an experienced practitioner survey a property and organize his

thoughts to be logical, thorough, and coherent? This is where the art of CPTED meets the science.

The CPTED data assessment process is what typical CPTED survey uses as a methodology. Let us

review what those basic steps are:

• Crime analysis

• Gathering demographic data

• Gathering land use information

• Conducting site inspections

• Observing and noting user behavior patterns

• Organizing the security report or audit

The crime analysis is one of the rst background steps taken to research the history of the prop-

erty. One of the key elements in establishing security negligence is the history of prior crime on and

around the property. This factor is known as foreseeability. Should the commission of prior crime

on and around the property give actual and constructive notice to the owners, property managers,

building users, and visitors? The crime analysis is the data gathering process of several years’ worth

of calls to law enforcement and analyzing the types of local threats. However, this kind of analysis

is slow and expensive. Many police departments have computer-generated crime mapping using

GIS or geographical information systems. Ideally, the local law enforcement agency will produce

CONTENTS

Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 890

Appendix: Sample Survey ............................................................................................................. 891

References ......................................................................................................................................893