Ryan Ricci Magnum Protective Services Ltd.
Security
Trespassers and Squatters: 9 Tips to Secure Your Property Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
Securing your property from these threats doesn’t have to be an expensive or time consuming affair. It just takes a little planning and a thing called CPTED (pronounced Sep-Ted). CPTED is short for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, and is a concept developed in 1960 on the premise that the opportunity to commit a crime can be reduced, if not prevented by changing or adapting the physical environment. (1) Consider these 9 CPTED based tips to help secure your community and safeguard your residents and their property.
1Implement good lighting in common and low traffic isolated areas. According to a 2016 study (3) conducted by the Universities of Chicago, Oregon and Pennsylvania; in New York City, lighting reduced outdoor index crimes (2) by approximately 36% and reduced outdoor non-index
crimes by 39%. (3,4) As well, research has shown there is a significant relationship between fear of crime and lighting, (5,6) a major consideration for the peace of mind for your residents, guests and staff. Areas often overlooked when it comes to lighting are external alcoves for emergency or utility exit doors, loading/garbage areas, shadowed/dark areas in storage CONDOVOICE FALL 2021
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ILLUSTRATION BY MAURICE VELLEKOOP
As more condominium and townhome communities appear in urban centres, the issue of trespassers and squatters on these properties increases. Let’s face it, urban centres with all their conveniences also introduce their own unique problems associated with higher population densities. More people; the greater the potential of having a trespasser or squatter on your property. A trespasser could be a person looking for a quiet doorway, or stairwell to sleep for the night, or a vandal or a criminal of opportunity looking for a quick and easy place to ply their trade. A squatter may be someone who has found a vacant utility room, secluded underground parking area or suite and may decide to make it their home.