If you think of safe communities, you probably think about security systems and gates, not windows. Sociologists and crime experts agree that broken windows can lead to apathy, decay, and even crime.
Communities with high levels of crime often share the same characteristics: abandoned houses; faulty traffic flow; limited surveillance; plant overgrowth; vacant lots; absentee landlords; inadequate street lighting. These areas of decay are ideal for criminal activity like drug-dealing and prostitution.
Crime experts believe that Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or the efficient design of buildings and other spaces to reduce crime and increase safety, can help improve residents’ quality-of-life.
Ten communities were helped by the National Crime Prevention Council, which was part of the Department of Justice’s Community Capacity Development Office. “weed and seed,”Or “weed”Find solutions to your problems “seed”Services and solutions
Training sessions were held at each site by the Weed and Seed Steering Committee. They included residents, police officers, housing agencies, public utilities, and other government agencies. The participants were guided through an action planning process, which organized their concerns and challenges and identified the specific actions that community stakeholders could take. Sites were also offered ongoing, technical support.
Montgomery, Alabama was helped by the local power company to repair street lights that were damaged or vandalized. The city also set up a gunfire-detection system for police assistance. Manchester, New Hampshire: An abandoned lot was transformed into a skatepark. Troy, New York transformed an area that was once a farmer’s market into a lively children’s park and a garden.
The Department of Justice’s Community Capacity Development Office receives each year applications from communities looking to be new Weed and Seed site owners. Visit this website if you believe your community could benefit greatly from CPTED. www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo/welcome_flash.htmlClick here for more information.
