According to Webster’s Dictionary, a community is defined as a unified body of individuals. This can include:

• People with common interests living in a specific area.

• A group of individuals with a shared characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.

• A body of people with common professional or social interests, even when geographically dispersed.

• A group or nation united by a common history, or shared social, economic, or political goals.

While these definitions highlight the structural or demographic elements of a community, they only scratch the surface of what community truly means in the context of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

Understanding Community Beyond Geography

In the CPTED framework, community applies to corporate campuses, universities, healthcare facilities, schools, and neighborhoods, to name a few. Community is not merely defined by physical proximity or shared space. A community is a group of people who are connected through common purpose, shared values, and mutual care. These individuals work together to foster a sense of trust, belonging, and safety—key ingredients for creating secure and vibrant environments.

Importantly, a community is not a place, a building, or a program. Nor is it limited to digital interactions or organizational structures. Rather, it is a network of human relationships, built on emotional connections, social responsibility, and collective engagement. Community is both a feeling and a functional system of relationships, enabling individuals to meet shared needs, protect one another, and influence their surroundings.

Why Community Matters in CPTED

CPTED is based on the principle that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can reduce crime and improve quality of life. While architecture, landscaping, and spatial layout play important roles, the strength of the community using those spaces is a critical component of CPTED success.

When individuals are invested in their environment and in each other, they are more likely to:

• Monitor shared spaces (natural surveillance and natural access control)

• Maintain and improve the physical condition of their surroundings (maintenance)

• Take collective ownership of public areas (territorial reinforcement)

• Develop a sense of pride and responsibility for the community (territorial reinforcement)

• Respond to or intervene in suspicious activities or for those that need assistance (territorial reinforcement)

This active participation forms the social glue that makes physical CPTED strategies effective over time. A vacant lot with clear sight lines and lighting may reduce crime risk, but it is the watchful, connected community around that lot that sustains safety through continued care, presence, and oversight.

Key Elements of a CPTED-Focused Community

Trust – Members of a community must feel they can rely on one another. Trust promotes openness and collaboration in addressing safety concerns.

Belonging – Individuals are more likely to invest in their environment when they feel accepted and valued within their community.

Shared Responsibility – A CPTED-oriented community does not wait for outside agencies to solve every problem. Members collectively take the initiative to enhance, monitor, and protect their spaces.

Empowerment – People who believe they can influence their environment—either individually or as a group—are more likely to engage in community programs and crime prevention efforts.

Communication and Inclusion – Open dialogue among employees, students, residents, management, law enforcement, security, and community members help ensure all voices are heard and all perspectives are considered when designing safe environments.

Creating Community Through CPTED

For CPTED to be effective, the creation and strengthening of community should be an intentional goal. This includes:

• Encouraging social interaction in public spaces (e.g., parks, plazas, and communal areas)

• Hosting community meetings and events

• Involving other members in the design and planning of local projects

• Supporting local leadership and community organizations

• Building environments that support both formal and informal gathering

In CPTED, community is not just a passive recipient of safety, it is a co-creator of it. Crime prevention doesn’t just come from fences, lights, or surveillance cameras, but from the people who live, work, and play in a space. When a community is built on trust, shared purpose, and mutual care, it becomes the most powerful tool in designing environments that are safe, resilient, and full of life.