A Collaborative Effort Toward a Safer Campus

• In Event: New Research Examining the Role of Collaborations in Crime Prevention

Abstract

Although the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) approach has shown promise in reducing crime, research has yet to assess the benefits and challenges of this method in an educational context. To address this gap, a case study was conducted in a college campus which has systematically applied the CPTED approach. The incentives and actions of college authorities to collaborate toward environmental crime prevention initiatives have been examined. Qualitative method of analysis was used to realize to what extent the capacities of applying CPTED strategies were existent as well as to identify the challenges of implementing this approach and the alterations which are needed to make it more effective.
The data were collected through conducting semi-structured interviews, focus groups, participant observations, and review of secondary sources. The information which was gathered include the perceptions of college community towards campus safety issues, their understanding of CPTED-related policies which were already in place, and the modifications that they found helpful to improve the safety of their campus. This case study provides a unique example of how the CPTED strategies can be applied at a higher education institution.

Author

• Auzeen Shariati, St. Joseph's College, NY