The following Guidelines illustrate recommendations that are founded on principles and strategies of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). These principles focus on safety and security issues with respect to the prevention of criminal activity on school campuses.
CPTED authors suggest that the design of the physical environment can affect the incident rate of crime. The Florida Center has found this to b e an accurate statement, but realize that a large percentage of criminal activity can be reduced based on actions taken by individual school administrations. This could involve the development and implementation of security programs that integrate high tech surveillance systems with School Resource Officers (SRO).
Not all CPI`ED recommendations are executed the same. In our research, we have read cases where schools address a safety/ security issue the same conceptually, but manifest them differently. For instance the State of Connecticut Department of Education produced a Safe School
Guide in 1980 that advises to avoid planting trees and shrubs along sidewalks because they provide places for people to hide. In Florida, trees provide welcomed shade, and if properly maintained, visibility around planted areas can be accomplished. The Connecticut Safe School Guide also recommends to design main entrances and student "hangout" areas with minimal glazing to reduce potential vandalism. This is in conflict with the concept of creating "a sense of being watched" in these areas as indicated by the literature research, case study examinations, and interviews with school and law enforcement officials.
These Guidelines are presented to address issues in a general manner in order to respond to a variety of building types and siting conditions. These Guidelines do not differentiate between new construction and old construction, or between high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools. However, these concepts for increasing safety and security levels are applicable at all grade levels, with specific adjustments made for each individual school design.
In some cases, the recommendations will conform with the current requirements of Chapter 6A2 Florida Administrative Code UBC.
Where recommendations are in conflict with the current UBC Requirements, a footnote will cross reference an explanation given in Chapter 5. Section 5C: Chapter 6A2 Florida Administrative Code, in the section titled Request for Recommendations.