Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practice Exam

Natural surveillance plays a crucial role in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) by promoting visibility in built environments. When areas are designed with features that enhance sightlines and visibility, it becomes more difficult for criminal activity to occur unnoticed. Natural surveillance encourages people to be observant of their surroundings and can serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, knowing that their actions are more likely to be witnessed.

This concept often includes strategic placement of windows, pathways, and outdoor spaces that allow for clear lines of sight. As a result, individuals within a community are more inclined to look out for one another, further discouraging criminal behavior. While options that discuss privacy or landscaping may focus on other design elements, they do not speak to the primary function of natural surveillance, which is to foster an environment conducive to safety and community observation.