Boost Safety at Your Business with CPTED!

As a small business owner, safety is a top priority—and that's where CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) comes in. This approach leverages smart design and maintenance to naturally deter crime and create safer, more inviting spaces for customers and employees.

What is CPTED?

CPTED is based on the idea that the environment we create influences behavior. Enhancing visibility, controlling access, fostering a sense of ownership, and maintaining your space can make it less appealing for crime and more welcoming for legitimate activity.

A Quick History

The concept of CPTED dates back to the 1970s, when urban designers and criminologists began to notice the strong connection between environmental design and safety. These principles have since been adopted globally to create safer neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces.

Get Started!

Use this simple CPTED checklist (tailored for small business owners) to improve safety and security in your business. Share the checklist and principles with your team—safety is everyone’s responsibility! When staff members know

CPTED practices can help maintain a secure and welcoming environment.

Checklist for Small Business Owners

1. Natural Surveillance

• ✅ Install bright, energy-efficient lighting outside your business (entry points, parking areas, pathways).

• ✅ Keep windows and sightlines clear of obstructions (e.g., remove excessive posters or displays).

• ✅ Use security cameras to monitor key areas (doors, loading docks, parking lots).

• ✅ Trim landscaping (e.g., shrubs and trees) to avoid creating hiding spots for trespassers.

  
  

2. Access Control

• ✅ Use clear signage to indicate public vs. private areas.

• ✅ Ensure doors and windows have durable locks and are regularly maintained.

• ✅ Consider controlled access for employees, such as keycards or keypad entry.

• ✅ Place physical barriers, like gates or bollards, where vehicles shouldn’t enter.

3. Territorial Reinforcement

• ✅ Maintain cleanliness and upkeep of the property to signal ownership and pride.

• ✅ Clearly mark your business boundary using fencing, landscaping, or pavement markings.

• ✅ Use branded signage to establish a sense of ownership and identity.

4. Maintenance

• ✅ Promptly replace broken lights, damaged locks, or graffiti.

• ✅ Regularly inspect the property for hazards or vulnerabilities, such as cracked windows or faulty security systems.

• ✅ Remove trash, debris, and unused items to discourage loitering or unauthorized activity.

• ✅ Check landscaping to ensure it remains tidy and doesn’t obscure visibility or create hiding spots.

A safer business means a thriving business. To learn more, contact us today!

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