Chapter 5: Natural Surveillance

• Natural surveillance is the use and placement of physical environment features, personnel walkways, and activity areas in ways that maximize visibility (Harris, 440).
• The goal of natural surveillance is to make criminals feel uncomfortable by providing many ways observers could potentially see them and to make all other people feel safe and comfortable with an open well-designed environment. 
•  Surveillance can also take place through organized means (security guard), mechanical means (CCTV), and natural strategies (straight lines of sight, low landscaping, raised entrances).  
• Examples:
• walkways and bicycle paths in a park so there is a steady flow of pedestrians who could identify malicious activity. 
• Buildings with large windows that overlook sidewalks and parking lots.
• Shorter fences so people can see what is taking place on both sides of the fence.
• More light in high-risk areas (stairs, parking areas, bus stops, laundry rooms, children's play areas, dumpsters, and recycling stations).