CPTED Fences and Landscaping Part of the FIRST line of defense Presented by Sgt. Steve Garst, L.C.C. Certified Crime Prevention Specialist Community Services Division Little Elm Police Department, Texas

Fences – Generally Design refined for… Fences are designed to keep things in or out In – Your dog, kids, etc. Out – the rest of the world Security Beautify Establish ownership Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Types of Fences Iron Privacy Wire mesh Rock or Stone Rail fence Ornamental Iron Welded wire Barb wire Aluminum Vinyl Galvanized Chain Link Bamboo Expanded metal Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Chain Link Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Wood PrivacyPicket Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Vinyl Privacy PicketSemi-Private

Metal Welded wire Aluminum

Metal Wrought Iron Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Security Fence Guidelines Minimum eight (8) feet tall Posts no more than eight (8) feet apart Design as straight as possible to discourage climbing Place terminal posts at the ends and corners and to support gates Brace ends and gate posts if fabric is over six (6) feet high, or less than six (6) feet if not top rail Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

8 ft min. 6 ft or less – no top rail 6 ft or more – top rail 24 in. for 4 ft. fence, PLUS 3 in. per added foot = 3 ft. Never exceed 8 ft between posts SECURITY FENCE

Security Fence Guidelines – cont. Brace diagonally to the nearest line post Dig post holes a minimum twenty-four (24) inches deep for a four (4) foot fence Add an additional three (3) inches in depth for each added foot in fence height Fill post holes with concrete A center rail is required if fabric is over twelve (12) feet in height Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

8 ft MIN 24 in. for 4 ft. fence PLUS 3 in. per added foot = 3 ft. 6 ft or more – install top rail 6 ft or more – brace at ends and at gates

Security Fence Guidelines – cont. Use #9 gauge fabric or heavier, with openings of no more than two (2) inches Install fabric within two (2) inches of solid ground. Install below ground level in sandy soil Fabric should be twisted and barbed at the top Attach fabric to top rail with #9 gauge wire or clips with peened bolts Extend mesh above top rail Install a top guard of barb wire, usually at a forty-five (45) degree angle Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

12 ft or more Top rail Install center bar if fence fabric is 12 feet high or more. Think tennis courts 24 in. for 4 ft. fence PLUS 3 in. per added foot = 4 ft.

Min. # 9 gauge wire with opening 2 in. or less Always fill all holes with concrete

Don’t forget the 3 strands of barbed wire at 45 degree angle

Security Fence Guidelines – cont. Locate all fences to afford maximum visibility Ideally, locate fence fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) from building or object of protection At a minimum, maintain at lease twenty (20) feet of cleared space on either side of the fence If twenty (20) feet space is not possible, raise the height of the fence, or otherwise compensate Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Security Fence Guidelines – cont. Privacy fences are NOT a good idea for security fencing Gives the bad guys a place for privacy also Gates should have quality latches that are locked from the inside Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept. Proper maintenance is imperative. Nothing screams “come on in” worse than a fence that is falling down or in severe disrepair. Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Security Fence Guidelines – concluded Be certain that braces and cross members on fences are on the same side being protected Otherwise they just become a ladder for the criminal Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Visibility Issues Must NOT obstruct visibility A solid barrier has two negative effects… Provides a shield for unauthorized activity Prohibits visual inspection of the property Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Landscaping and Shrubbery Insure optimum visibility of all possible entrances and exits Locate shrubs eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) inches away from all entrances and exits Cut shrubs at least six (6) inches below window level Trim tall shrubs and trees from the ground up to six (6) to eight (8) feet to assure visibility Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Landscaping and Shrubbery – cont. Separate hedges to prevent hiding Recommend preventive measures that serve to increase the chances of detection Generally, thick and thorny type bushes or hedges are most recommended…but …remember that they may be used to hide an intruder Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.

Sgt. Steve Garst, L.C.C. – Certified Crime Prevention SpecialistLittle Elm Police Department ANY QUESTIONS Sgt. Steve Garst L.C.C./C.C.P.S Little Elm Police Dept.