Calgary Monterey Park Community Association

 When a city park became the setting for illicit activities, community members contacted their local Calgary Police Service community liaison officer to help address the problem. Together police and residents determined drug users and transients were attracted to the park because of its design and landscaping.

The cover provided by the trees and bushes hid their criminal activity from public view.

The principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) provided the solution, and soon local families were using the park again.

 “A key strategic crime prevention principle is to reduce the opportunity for crime to be committed and to increase the probability of criminal activity being easily seen by others, who then report it to police,” says Sergeant Marty Fulkerth of the Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Unit.

“All community liaison officers are trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). In this case, the officer was able to apply this crime prevention strategy to the park,” says Sergeant Fulkerth.

Once a problem area is identified, the community liaison officer develops an action plan after consulting with the community, the City of Calgary and other police officers in the district. In this example, they found the dark, secluded area could be made safer by trimming tall bushes and opening the area to public view. City crews were immediately assigned to the park to improve the landscaping and area residents were back enjoying the park in days.

CPTED can also be applied to residential areas to reduce vulnerability. For example, by holding mail deliveries and having your lawn cut while away on holidays, your home will look occupied and be less of a target for thieves. Also, trimming trees and bushes that could give a prowler a hiding spot and installing outside lights to brighten dark areas around doors or windows are proven methods to make your neighbourhood less vulnerable to criminal activity.

If you have a crime concern or would like to learn more about how to deter crime in your community, contact your community liaison officer at your local district office.

Visit the Calgary Police Service Web site at www.calgarypolice.ca for information on crime prevention, Calgary police programs in the community and in schools, information for children and teens on drugs, bullying and other issues, neighbourhood crime stats, monthly photo radar and red light camera locations, and information about a career in policing.