Billings Chamber of Commerce > Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Our Smart Design, Safer Spaces initiative seeks to make Billings a safer city, one property at a time. The environment around us, including the built environment, influences our behavior and would-be criminals are no different. Certified CPTED practitioners from the Billings Chamber and the Downtown Billings Alliance can survey your property and identify ways the built environment on your property can be improved to deter crime and make you, your employees, and your customers feel safer.

Trimming this tree improved natural surveillance by allowing people to easily see past it, while the rocks below improve natural access control by cutting down on unwanted foot traffic and loitering.
This lighting improves natural surveillance at night, and discourages sleeping in that area – all while adding aesthetic value.
Removing the graffiti (a maintenance improvement) will discourage future graffiti while demonstrating active ownership (territorial reinforcement). The addition of this short fence and larger rocks improves natural access control by cutting down on cut-through foot traffic and loitering.

CPTED Explained

So what is CPTED? Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life. CPTED is a method of analyzing the design of the built environment to identify and address areas that may unintentionally allow improper and unsafe use of the space. CPTED acknowledges that all space has a defined purpose and can either function to promote appropriate use, or in the event of bad design, let abnormal behavior take place. By assessing the elements of natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance, simple alterations can increase public safety.Image credit: cityofalbany.net

CPTED Security Surveys

Have Your Property Surveyed

The first step is to reach out to the Billings Chamber and sign up for an evaluation. Our staff, certified by the National Institute for Crime Prevention (NICP), will work with you to schedule an evaluation. That process is outlined below:

  • Initial interview with business (1 hour)
  • CPTED security survey (dependent on property size, between 1- 3 hours)
  • Presentation of CPTED security survey recommendations and written report to business (within 14 days 30 min)
  • Evaluation of recommended CPTED improvements (dependent on diligence of businesses to implement recommendations)

To learn more or schedule an evaluation, simply email Dan Brooks or Jack Jennaway.

CPTED Certified Partners

Thank you to our Public Safety Initiative Investors!