Which practice is a core element of CPTED?

• A. Remove hiding spots, maintain clear sightlines, use defensible landscaping.
• B. Increase lighting without considering sightlines.
• C. Use landscaping to conceal entries.
• D. Rely solely on cameras for security.

Answer: (A)

CPTED aims to deter crime by shaping the environment so it’s easy to observe, easy to access in controlled ways, and clearly owned by legitimate users. Removing hiding spots and maintaining clear sightlines makes it hard for someone to linger unseen, while defensible landscaping establishes boundaries and signals that the space is watched and cared for. Together, these elements create natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement that discourage wrongdoing without relying on heavy technology.

The other approaches miss important CPTED principles: lighting alone doesn’t guarantee visibility if sightlines are blocked; landscaping that conceals entries undermines natural surveillance and access control; and relying only on cameras misses the design aspects that deter crime through environmental cues and guardianship.