In CPTED, which of the following is a key principle?

In Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), enhancing natural surveillance in the environment is a fundamental principle. This approach emphasizes the importance of designing spaces in such a way that they promote visibility among individuals and ensure that potential criminals are less likely to commit offenses when they know that they can be seen by others. This can be achieved through various architectural and landscape features, such as placing windows in unobstructed views or utilizing lighting to illuminate areas that might be prone to crime. By fostering an environment where individuals can observe activities around them, residents and passersby are more likely to deter criminal behaviors.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core principles of CPTED. Increasing police patrols, while beneficial for law enforcement, does not inherently modify the environment to reduce crime. Creating barriers to isolate communities may directly contradict the principle of promoting social interaction and visibility, as it can limit the natural surveillance by separating individuals. Reducing overall visibility of public spaces works against the idea of making areas safer, as it can create hidden spots where criminal activity can occur without witnesses. Therefore, enhancing natural surveillance is essential to effective CPTED strategies aimed at preventing crime through thoughtful design.