AMPS provides community services for CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a proactive crime prevention strategy utilized by planners, architects, police services, security professionals and everyday users of space. Currently two officers with the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service have achieved certification to provide CPTED inspections and are offering free residential inspections to community members. CPTED (pronounced “sep-ted”) places emphasis on the physical environment, productive use of space, and behavior of people to create environments that are absent of environmental cues that cause opportunities for crime to occur.

“This is really like a home security audit reports from break and entering instances and we talk with homeowners about locks on doors and what areas around the home would be potential invitations for criminals,” said Cst. Robert White who is the Community Service and Support Officer within AMPS. “We really want to promote this service to the elders in the community.”

There are four underlying CPTED concepts that are used and the first is natural surveillance. Natural surveillance entails the optimal placement of physical features like windows that will maximize the natural visibility to surroundings. The second concept is natural access control, which can deter access to a target and creates a perception of risk to the offender. Natural access controls can include the use of landscape to prevent easy access to certain areas like low-lying windows or access to rooftops. Territorial reinforcement is another concept that is used to define clear borders of controlled space from public to semi-public to private areas. One way to achieve territorial reinforcement is building fences that clearly mark the division between public and private areas. The last concept is maintenance and allows for the continued use of a space for its intended purpose.

To arrange for a CPTED inspection you would need to contact Cst. White to make arrangements to have him walk around the property of your home. He would then work to provide an in-depth report with recommendations on how to make your home more secure and how to deter any potential offenders. These recommendations could range from locations to place motion detector lights, how to keep shrubs trimmed so that there is a clear line of visibility, to how to place outside playground equipment to achieve the maximum visibility so that offenders have nowhere to hide behind.

CPTED inspections are only one of many services offered by Cst. White within AMPS Victim Services. He has also made presentations around the community for elders to talk about Elder Abuse Awareness and ways to prevent elder abuse. These workshops have been organized with CareFor who are based out of Cornwall, On.

Other initiatives that have begun under the Community Service and Support sector of AMPS has included the Power Wheels Race during the 2011 Akwesasne Winter Carnival. They have also provided lacrosse demonstrations for the O.P.P. Culture Camp that is held each summer and focuses on Ojibwe culture.

“In working with ACFS and the Justice program we decided to try and hold our own Culture Camp on Thompson Island to teach the youth about Mohawk Culture rather than Ojibwe,” said Cst. White. “We have even received requests from elders to have workshops done because some of them have never had the opportunity to learn about it.”

During these presentations they usually have support to do presentations on a wide range of topics including traditional medicines with Eddie Gray. Another initiative that has taken place within the last year was the first Ride Along program with three students from CCVS in Cornwall. In the spring the students were chosen and allowed to ride with Cst. Justin Delormier so that they could see what the job actually entails and to give them an opportunity to ask questions about joining AMPS.

There is great information available through the Community Service and Support with AMPS. Whether you are scheduling a CPTED inspection or requesting a presentation for elder abuse prevention contact Cst. White at 613-575-2340.