In
the Spotlight KANSAS CITY, MO (October 27, 2009) Northeast residents and Independence Avenue-area business owners came together to learn how to protect themselves through environmental design. Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Officers met with the group at Pho’97 Vietnamese Restaurant, 2605 Independence Ave., to instruct them about the basics of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED is based on the premise that “the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear of crime and incidence of crime, and to an improvement in quality of life,” according to the National Institute of Crime Prevention. Greater Kansas City LISC paid for three KCPD officers to attend CPTED training so that those officers can teach the community. “This is about awareness,” said East Patrol Officer Jason Cooley, who lead the CPTED training session. “They don’t have to take our recommendations, but if they do, it improves their chances of not becoming a victim, or of having somebody witness something if they do become a victim, which helps us catch the bad guys.” Officer Cooley said several important tips for businesses include keeping windows clear of signage and posters so employees can see any potential suspicious activity outside. And if a crime is taking place inside the business, it allows outside passersby to see inside and call police. Lighting also is very important for businesses, especially in parking areas. At home, landscaping can be a major crime prevention tool, Officer Cooley said. If residents have a basement window that could easily be broken into, CPTED recommends planting “hostile vegetation,” such as thorn bushes around it. Shrubbery shouldn’t be higher than two feet, and tree canopies should be at least six feet off the ground. If residents don’t want people in a certain part of their yard, Officer Cooley advised to landscape that area or plant a garden there. Most people will avoid walking in it, and those who do will look odd and call attention to themselves. Police Chief James Corwin said he looks forward to spreading CPTED principles to enhance community safety through events like the Independence Avenue training on Oct. 27. "We would like to express our appreciation to Greater Kansas City LISC for its financial support, which allowed KCPD officers to attend the CPTED training,” Chief Corwin said. “Thanks to LISC's vital assistance, more merchants and residents will receive valuable information and tips to protect their homes and businesses."
The crime and safety efforts stemmed from recommendations of a 2008 Scarritt/Independence Avenue Business Market Study facilitated and supported by Greater Kansas City LISC through the NeighborhoodsNOW program. Improving neighborhood safety was a major recommendation of the study. “Reducing crime and empowering merchants to work with police and community leaders will ultimately lead to new economic activity along Independence Avenue,” said John Wood, Greater Kansas City LISC senior program officer.
NeighborhoodsNOW - Supporting Healthy Environments and Lifestyles |