Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) includes strategies implemented to directly modify the physical environment (residential or commercial) of targets to reduce criminal opportunity. For example, reducing the height of front yard bushes may increase the chance that a crime will be seen by a neighbor or passerby.
The goals of CPTED are to:
Increase Quality of Life
Decrease Fear of Crime
Decrease Crime
There are six CPTED strategies that can be applied to a target. These strategies include: Natural Surveillance, Access Management, Territoriality, Physical Maintenance, Order Maintenance, and Activity Support. Each strategy employs a slightly different method, but all send a clear message to criminals that their activity is unwelcomed. A survey will assess all six strategies and compare it to design elements, rate the results, and recommend any necessary changes.
The Crime Prevention unit has conducted CPTED assessments of personal residences, apartments, and commercial properties. If you are interested in having your property surveyed, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 530-747-5419.
Crime-Free Multi Housing Program
The Crime-Free Multi Housing program was designed by the Davis Police Department to help owners, managers, leasing agents and staff deal with tenant issues and illegal activity at their respective apartment communities.
Three Phase Process
The Crime-Free Multi Housing program is a three phase process, involving the following:
- Phase I: Owners and key property employees are trained to become more effective in reducing criminal activity. This phase involves a 4-hour training course sponsored by the Davis Police Department and covers the following topics: Crime Prevention Strategies, Applicant Screening, Rental Agreements, Ongoing Management, Illegal Activity, Evictions, Background Checks, Fair Housing, Working with Police, Life Safety/Fire Prevention. Apartment owners and staff must attend Phase I training to be a Crime-Free Housing participant.
- Phase II: Crime Prevention staff physically inspect the apartment complex to educate property owners on the basic requirements necessary for a safe living environment. The apartment complex must meet the minimum-security requirements established during the inspection prior to Phase III.
- Phase III: Property owners facilitate a crime prevention meeting with their residents to train them on issues including: Resident's Rights, Domestic Violence, Responsibilities of Residences, Burglary and Theft Prevention, Block Watch Principles, Personal Safety Awareness, Auto Theft Prevention, and Sexual Assault Prevention.
Is Your Apartment Complex a Participant?
Currently, the Davis Police Department acknowledges 41 apartment communities as participants:
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Adobe Apartments
Aggie Square Apartments
Alhambra Apartments
Allegre Apartment
Almondwood Apartments
Alvarado Sunset Apartments
Anderson Court Apartments
Anderson Place Apartments
Arlington Farms Apartments
The Arbors
Aspen Village Apartments
Avalon Apartments
Ceaser Chavez Apartments
Davisville Properties
Drake Apartments
Eastlake Apartments
Fountain Circle Apartments
Glacier Point Apartments
Greystone Apartments
Heather Glenn Apartments
Lakeshore Apartments
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The Lexington Apartments
Moore Village Apartments
Olive Court Apartments
Owendale Community
Parkside Apartments
Portage Bay Apartments
Renaissance Park Apartments
Rosa Park Townhouses
Rosewood Park Apartments
Saratoga West Apartments
Sorrento Apartments
Sojourner Truth Gardens
Sycamore Lane Garden Apartments
Terracina Apartments
Tremont Green Community
Twin Pines Community
University Village
Walnut Terrace Apartments
Willow Glen Apartments
Windmere
Windmere II
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The Davis Police Department believes that residents who work in conjunction with the police are the most successful in reducing crime. In Davis, Neighborhood Watch groups work with their the departments Crime Prevention Specialist and our Patrol Officers to prevent crime and maintain security in their individual neighborhoods.
A Neighborhood Watch group consists of neighbors, typically 15-20 homes, who are committed to maintaining the safety and quality of life on their residential block. The Neighborhood Watch program counts on citizens to organize themselves, work with the Davis Police Department through a Neighborhood Watch Liaison, and keep a trained eye on their neighborhood while demonstrating their presence at all times. It is through that persistent presence that criminals are deterred. Participants also have the opportunity to communicate their safety and quality of life concerns to the assigned Liaisons, who may be able to help resolve emerging neighborhood problems.
What Does a Neighborhood Liaison Do?
Each Neighborhood Watch is responsible for selecting a “Neighborhood Watch Liaison” who is responsible for coordinating the group. The Liaison should be someone who is willing to:
- Keep contact information current for the neighborhood.
- Communicate with the Davis Police Department about crime trends or problems.
- Communicate Crime Alert information to the group.
- Hold meetings to discuss neighborhood issues.
How Often Should We Have a Meeting?
An organized and cohesive neighborhood is the most successful in reducing crime. It is recommended neighborhoods meet as often as possible, but no less than once a year. The Neighborhood Liaison is responsible for getting the group together and notifying the Police Department so the beat officer can attend meetings.
Meetings don’t have to be formal. In fact, barbecues and other casual gatherings are a great way for neighbors to get to know each other.
Starting a Neighborhood Watch
The Davis Police Department can help start and organize a Neighborhood Watch group. Trained Crime Prevention staff will help organize neighbors, provide crime data, and instructions on how to prevent crime using the “Neighborhood Watch Toolkit”. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group, please contact the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5419.
Additional Tips
Please click on any of the links below for more information on the following topics:
Crime Prevention Reporting Criminal Activity
Crime Prevention Vehicle Security Tips
Crime Prevention Home Security Tips
Crime Prevention Bike Related Tips
