One of the greatest strengths of the CPTED profession is the dedication of practitioners around the world who are working to create safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities. While each CPTED association serves its own members, region, or area of expertise, we all share a common purpose—to advance the application of CPTED and support the professionals who put these principles into practice every day.

With that goal in mind, I am pleased to announce the creation of the CPTED Network.

The CPTED Network is a collaborative initiative designed to connect CPTED associations, professional networks, and practitioners by encouraging the sharing of knowledge, educational opportunities, and professional resources. Rather than working independently, participating organizations can work together to strengthen the profession through cooperation, mutual support, and the open exchange of ideas.

The concept for the CPTED Network began in 2003 while I was serving as Chair of the Florida CPTED Association (now the Florida Design Out Crime Association). The vision was simple: create a network where participating associations would extend the benefits of membership to one another by offering conference registrations, webinars, and educational programs at member rates. Over time, that vision has grown into something much larger, a professional network dedicated to advancing CPTED through collaboration rather than competition.

A Shared Vision

The CPTED Network exists to strengthen the CPTED profession by encouraging cooperation among organizations that share a commitment to education, professional development, and the practical application of CPTED.

As CPTED continues to expand internationally, opportunities to learn from one another become increasingly valuable. Every association has unique experiences, research, and success stories that can benefit practitioners everywhere. By working together, we can make CPTED education more accessible while strengthening the profession as a whole.

Benefits of Participating in the CPTED Network

Participating associations and their members become part of a broader professional community dedicated to advancing CPTED through collaboration.

Members benefit from opportunities to:

Exchange ideas, best practices, and practical CPTED applications with colleagues from other organizations. Stay informed about emerging trends, research, technology, and innovations influencing the profession. Learn from successful CPTED projects and implementation strategies from around the world. Participate in conferences, workshops, webinars, and educational programs at member rates offered by participating associations. Share professional expertise through presentations, committee participation, and collaborative initiatives. Build relationships with practitioners who have successfully addressed similar challenges within their own communities. Expand professional networks while strengthening cooperation across the CPTED profession.

Participation Is Simple

The CPTED Network has intentionally been designed to be easy to join and simple to maintain.

There are:

No membership fees

No certification requirements

No formal agreements

No organizational dues

The only expectation is that participating associations support one another by recognizing fellow CPTED Network organizations and extending reciprocal member benefits.

Participating Associations Agree To

Associations joining the CPTED Network simply agree to:

Identify themselves as a participating CPTED Network organization. Include links to other CPTED Network member organizations on their website. Offer member registration rates or applicable membership discounts for conferences, webinars, and educational programs to active members of participating associations whenever possible.

Why This Matters

As our profession continues to grow, collaboration between organizations becomes increasingly important.

The CPTED Network is not intended to replace existing associations or alter their individual missions. Instead, it provides a framework for organizations to work together while maintaining their independence and unique identities.

By sharing educational opportunities, supporting one another’s members, and encouraging the exchange of knowledge, we strengthen not only our individual organizations, but the CPTED profession itself.

Most importantly, we help ensure that practitioners—regardless of where they live or which association they belong to—have greater access to quality CPTED education, professional development, and opportunities to connect with colleagues around the world.

Looking Forward

I invite CPTED associations that share this vision to become part of the CPTED Network. Together, we can expand educational opportunities, strengthen professional relationships, share practical experience, and continue advancing the application of CPTED worldwide. By working together, we all become stronger—and so does the profession we serve.

Organizations interested in joining the CPTED Network are encouraged to contact Tad Twidwell, CPTED Network Committee Chair, at tad@thenicp.com to learn more or discuss participation.

I look forward to collaborating with you.