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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, is a relatively new crime prevention strategy. Even though its concepts and principles have been used for hundreds of years, it was not until the early 1970s that urban planning and architecture experts, such as Jane Jacobs and Oscar Newman, studied the relationship between the built environment and criminal behavior. It was discovered that there is a direct correlation between the two. How the built environment is perceived does have an effect on one’s behavior, whether good or bad, which in turn affects the productivity of the environment, and that affects the amount of crime, potential loss and liability in that environment.

CPTED was born of the belief that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime and an improvement in the quality of life. While it took many years for crime-prevention practitioners and design professionals to buy into the idea, CPTED has been growing successfully across the nation and throughout the world at a surprising rate.

What Is CPTED?

Where many people envision crime prevention as installing additional locks, bars, moats, and other “fortress-building” devices, CPTED incorporates natural elements into the design phase of development. These elements can be applied easily and inexpensively early on, hence “prevention”, versus having to retrofit a structure after criminal activity has occurred, -“reaction”. CPTED principles integrate four interrelated design concepts. These concepts include Natural Surveillance, Natural Access Control, Territorial Reinforcement and Maintenance.

Natural Surveillance is a concept that utilizes increased visibility. The placement of physical features, (windows, entrances, parking areas), activities, (smoking and break areas), and people, (receptionists, cashiers or security personnel), in such a way enables the intended users of the space to see and be seen. The strategic placement of these items provides an opportunity to allow intruders, or inappropriate behaviors, to be observed and challenged, or reported to the police or property owner. Natural Surveillance is enhanced by providing adequate lighting and landscaping to allow for unobstructed views outside, as well as within.

Natural Access Control is a concept that focuses on physically guiding people, (subtly), to and from an environment. By strategically placing entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping and lighting, access will be controlled, while unauthorized access will be more noticeable. If ingress and egress is limited, a criminal may think twice, as the perception would be that there is too much risk in selecting that space as a target.

Territorial Reinforcement employs design elements, such as sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, pavement treatments and signage, to express ownership and define public and private areas. The concept suggests that physical design can create or extend a sphere of influence and ownership. Offenders will feel out of place and will look for an easier target.

Maintenance is a concept that allows for the continued use of a space. When an area becomes rundown, it tends to send a message to others that there is a lack of concern or control by the property owner, indicating a greater tolerance of disorder and crime. Proper maintenance protects the public health, safety and welfare in existing structures and surrounding premises, which increases the quality of life.

How Does It Work?

The Chesterfield County Police Department is one of two law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia that have hired a full-time civilian to focus on CPTED and related issues. This position involves attending Site Plan Review sessions to provide CPTED comments on proposed development within the county, review of rezoning cases and subdivision development review. The position also involves working directly with police on various crime-related issues.

A full CPTED Security Assessment includes a review of crime statistics, a review of adjacent property uses, a crime review of the property itself, a thorough review of proposed design plans, (including site plans, design elevations, building layouts, landscaping and lighting plans), with an evaluation of the proposed use of the site. There is no cost for a CPTED Security Assessment.

As there are currently no county codes requiring that CPTED be implemented in the design phases of development, any recommendations made are at the mercy of the company or property owner. No one is forced to adhere to the CPTED recommendations, however, it is the duty of property owners and design professionals to address any safety issues brought to their attention.

If nothing else, companies, property owners, developers and architects should be concerned with Premises Liability. Court cases have shown that crime victims increasingly seek compensation from the owners, managers and even professional property designers of properties where crime takes place. With the available tools developed through CPTED, owners, developers and design professionals, who utilize proactive design, will reduce the likelihood that crime will occur on their premises and, in the event that a crime does occur, will provide a strong defense of reasonable conduct in a court of law.

What Are The Benefits?

• A Safer Building/Environment
  
  Customers will frequent businesses that offer a safe environment in which to conduct business.
• A More Productive Work Environment
  
  Employees and customers will feel safer and will be able to concentrate on business rather than crime-related issues that may have occurred on the property or in the building.
• A More Profitable Business
  
  Customers will be more inclined to frequent a safe business and there will be less employee turnover.
• Less Liability
  
  Being able to show reasonable actions for anticipated criminal activities will be of great support should legal issues arise.

Summary

CPTED can go a long way in making a community safe. Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield County Police Department are committed to providing residents and businesses the safest environments possible. Although there is no guarantee that the implementation of CPTED principles will make a building or community crime free, the CPTED concepts should reduce the probability and fear of crime, when properly applied and maintained.

CPTED can eliminate problem areas: a poorly lit parking lot, blind alley, or a public telephone stuffed into a dark corner. Along with the feeling of safety and security that CPTED brings will come a stronger sense of social responsibility. What better type of prevention is there?

For more information about CPTED, please contact Jennifer Bryant, CPTED Planner and Crime Prevention Specialist, at the Chesterfield County Police Department, (804) 796-7153.

The Richmond-Petersburg Area ranked 21st in Expansion Management’s list of “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” for manufacturing Expansions and Relocations.

The magazine polled over 75 site selection consultants to find out their choice for the top cities for relocating and expanding manufacturing companies. The consultants used their broad-based knowledge and projects that they have worked on to narrow the list to 50 from 331 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).

Chesterfield County is located in the middle of this MSA. The rankings took into consideration such things as business environment, work force quality, operating costs, incentive programs, work training programs and ease of working with local officials.

The Boulders and CB Richard Ellis, Inc. have been named Chesterfield County Developer of the Year for 2001. Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors established a Business Appreciation and Recognition Award to recognize existing businesses within Chesterfield County that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens.

CB Richard Ellis, Incorporated is located in The Boulders at 1001 Boulders Parkway and employs 55 individuals. The company manages and leases 11 buildings encompassing over one million square feet. The Boulders has assisted the County in attracting several quality companies such as CIGNA, Tredegar Corporation, Sentry Insurance, HCA, AAA of Virginia and Swedish Match.

The Boulders has been a premiere corporate development in Chesterfield County since the early 1980’s. Also, The Boulders Concert Area has played host to hundreds of events over the years, many of a charitable and fundraising nature. The Boulders is a 220-acre development offering a quality working environment with a unique identity offering value, prime location, distinctive architecture, quality construction, exquisite landscaping and responsive onsite management.

Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology helps Virginia companies to acquire technology, turn technology into a product and take technology-based products to the market. CIT was instrumental in raising Virginia’s ranking among states from 18th to 6th in the number of patents issued to universities and nonprofit institutions from 1987-1993.

CIT’s Mission & Strategic Plan

Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) is a state chartered, nonprofit organization dedicated to building Virginia’s future through technology. CIT’s mission is to enhance Virginia’s business competitiveness through technology innovation. With ten offices throughout the state, CIT provides access to technology expertise; expands Virginia’s R&D and technology infrastructure and creates collaborative environments to advance Virginia’s technology future.

CIT was created by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1984 as a nonprofit organization designed to enhance the research and development capability of the state’s major research universities. In its first decade, CIT implemented that original legislative intent by bringing Virginia businesses and institutions of higher education into relationships that promote a climate of cooperation and technological innovation.

In 1994, CIT adopted a new mission, one that measured CIT’s success in terms of jobs created/retained, companies created/retained/converted and competitiveness created for Virginia’s businesses. In the first three years of this new era, CIT assisted Virginia businesses in creating/retaining 9,854 jobs, creating/retaining/converting 222 companies and creating $278 million in competitiveness. In 1998, CIT assisted Virginia businesses in creating/retaining 10, 609 jobs, creating/retaining/converting 132 companies and creating $1.9 billion in competitiveness.

If you are interested in working with CIT, please contact the South Central Region offices at (804) 371-3433.

Rogar International Corporation has received the Chesterfield County 2001 Small Business of the Year award.

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors established a Business Appreciation and Recognition Award to recognize existing businesses within the county that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens. One such company is Rogar International Corporation.

Rogar International Corporation is located at 12738 Oak Lake Court in the Oak Lake Business Center. Robert Crist founded the company in 1975. The company’s mission has remained the same over the past twenty-five years, to design, manufacture and market top-quality consumer products. The company began producing a line of unique wine openers and added a full line of pot racks a few years later.

The company most recently has built 66,000 square feet of office, warehouse and factory space on 6 acres of land in Chesterfield County, with another 20,000 square feet to be built in the near future. Rogar has created 40-50 jobs to the county with the recent move to the facility on Oak Lake Court.

Congratulations to Robert and Carol Crist and all the Rogar employees!

John Tyler Community College, Jeffrey’s Manufacturing Solutions and Haas Automation, Inc. have teamed up to offer state-of-the-art machine tool job training. The Haas Technology Center for computer numerical control (CNC) machining was dedicated at at John Tyler’s Chester campus on Friday, September 28,2001.

The Center offers offers training on two Haas CNC machines, a VF-1 vertical machining center and the SL-20 turning center. “CNC machining is now an integral part of John Tyler’s precision machining technology program and our training of machinist apprentices,” said Bryce Jewett, president of Jewett Machine and chairman of JTCC’s machining advisory committee. “Thanks to the Haas Technology Center, beginning machinists and CNC operators may now learn to program, set up and operate these machines under the watchful eye of an instructor in the safety of a lab.”

For more information on the JTCC Precision Machining Technology program and training of machinist apprentices contact Kalie Kelch at (804) 706-5005 or kkelch@jt.cc.va.us

Mr. William F. Seymour, III, has seen a few projects come before the Authority in his time. He has served on the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) board for approximately thirty years now. He currently is the Chairman and represents the Midlothian district.

The IDA is composed of 7 directors; they serve 4-year terms; each director upon appointment or reappointment must take an oath of office; directors generally cannot be an officer or employee of the locality; directors must reside in the locality or an adjoining locality; the board must elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the directors, and a Secretary and Treasurer from within or out of the directors; and four members constitute a quorum, except that no facilities owned by the IDA may be leased or disposed of without a majority vote.

The Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act sets forth specific purposes for which IDAs were created. In short, these items are:

1. Business Development
2. Pollution Control
3. Hospitals and Retirement Facilities
4. Facilities for Non-Profits
5. College and Collegiate Facilities
6. Governmental Facilities
7. Museums
8. Equine Facilities (other than racing)
9. Industrial Parks
10. Housing

Other members serving on the IDA are: James Spencer, Henry Moore, John Ruckart, John Hughes, James Briggs and Willie Lanier. Congratulations and a word of thanks to Mr. Seymour and all the members of the IDA!

Kane 3PL, a third party logistics support and services company, will be moving into 36,336 square feet of the Enterchange – Building B at the Walthall Enterchange of I-95. Kane 3PL is part of the Kane Companies, providing total office solutions for the business community. Other Kane companies include Office Movers Inc., Office Archives, Kane Office Furniture, and Offices Installers, Inc.

Kane 3PL’s mission is to provide top quality third party logistic services to clientele. A number of services offered by Kane 3PL include:

Electronics Distribution Services

Fully Insured & Secure Warehouse Space
Trained Electronics Handling Specialist
Proven Warehouse Management System

Computer Equipment Preparation and Staging Support

Secure & Confidential Locations for Software Imaging
Special Use Environment Designed to your Specifications
Rapid Packaging, Deployment & Delivery to any Location World-Wide

Third Party Warehouse and Distribution Management

Provide Competent Outsourcing Services
Streamline Warehouse & Distribution Operations
Assume Management of Existing Facilities Operations
Design Customized Packing and Product Flow
Warehouse Space with Less Restrictive Agreements

Freight Forwarding Service

Provide Turnkey Service for International and Domestic Shipping
Truck Load and Less-Than-Load Brokerage Capabilities
Secure Competitive Rates and Superior Service Providers

Crane and Rigging Serivces

Access to All Major Union/Non-Union Crame Companies in the Mid-Atlantic; Crane Capacity 20 to 175 tons
Helicopers for Special Lifting Services
Managed, Trained, and Certified Rigging Personnel
Quarterly In-house Rigging Training and Certification
On-Site Monitoring of Safe Working Practices, In-house Safety Department

DuPont has announced that it will expand its Kevlar para-aramid fiber production facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia. A new production line, based on proprietary DuPont fiber technology, will be added at the Spruance site, increasing production capacity for DuPont Kevlar brand fiber by the end of 2002. Total investment for this expansion is expected to be $50 million.

“The Kevlar high-performance fiber market is seeing incredible growth as demand from our core customers continues to increase and new product applications are developed,” said Diane Gulyas, vice president and general manager – DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. “DuPont is committed to the Kevlar business as a key contributor to our sustainable growth mission, so we are taking every action we can to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The company has successfully completed the first phase of expansion projects that began in early 2000 and increased production capacity for Kevlar fiber globally by approximately 15 percent.

The second expansion phase, announced today, will address a nearly two-year trend of growing demand for high-performance, high-strength para-aramid fibers – demand that has exceeded global manufacturing capabilities.

This capacity expansion is based on innovative technology developed and patented by DuPont and used in the company’s European operations for the past three years. As applied at Chesterfield, the technology will include design enhancements from the European operations that will provide unique process and product capabilities to support the continually growing needs of Kevlar customers.

“Adding Kevlar fiber capacity through enhanced technology is critical to maintaining our leadership position in the market for aramid products and technologies and reinforces our commitment to grow with our marketplace partners,” Gulyas said.

Kevlar is a global business serving a wide range of market applications delivering innovation, technology and solutions in environments where high-strength and lightweight performance are demanded. The business serves a global marketplace from offices in all major regions of the world and has manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland, Japan and the United States.

DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people’s lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees.

The Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (PPTA), allowed the Virginia Department of Transportation to award a $236 million contract to APAC-Virginia, Inc. of Danville for the completion of Route 288. APAC-Virginia, Inc. will work in partnership with CH2MHill of Herndon, Virginia and Koch Performance Roads of Wichita, Kansas.

The project will build new segments of Route 288 in Powhatan and Goochland counties and complete four lanes of Route 288 from the Powhite Parkway (Route 76) in Chesterfield County to Interstate 64 in Goochland County, completing a planned western loop around Richmond. The project totals 17.5 miles and is planned for completion by late 2003.

A web page has been established to go into further details about the project including description of the James River Bridge, the 10 interchanges, FAQ page, maps and more. For more information visit www.Route288.com

Public vans with the Chesterfield LINK logo began rolling in the county June 4, providing citizens express routes to and from downtown Richmond, as well as local routes.

“Chesterfield LINK enhances the county’s opportunity for economic growth by linking people with jobs, schools, shopping and county services,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Rollo Axton.

Chesterfield LINK, which will be operated by GRTC under a two-year pilot program, will feature 25-passenger vans, instead of the larger buses typically used by transit companies. The smaller vans don’t cause as much traffic congestion and can more easily negotiate roads and private parking areas, leading to less risk of damaging private property.

In addition to the LINK Express and Link Local routes, the service will deviate from its routes up to three quarters of a mile, provided customers have given 24-hour notice and the route schedule permits the detour. The vans are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and curb-to-curb service will be available for ADA eligible customers.

The local routes will operate Monday through Saturday, while the two express routes to Richmond will operate Monday through Friday.

“LINK opens new roads to jobs in downtown Richmond,” Axton said. “For those in the city, Chesterfield LINK connects people with shopping and leisure activities provided by popular merchants along the service routes in Chesterfield County.”

LINK Works Three Ways: Board at a scheduled, designated stop on the fixed routes. Use LINK Local to request a detoured pick-up at a location up to 3/4 mile from the scheduled service. Commuters must call 24 hours in advance, and appointments are made as the schedule permits. ADA-eligible (Americans with Disabilities Act) customers may request curb-to-curb service up to 3/4 mile from the scheduled service with 24-hours notice. Call 278-9111 for an appointment or 358-GRTC for more details. Take LINK Express non-stop to and from downtown Richmond. LINK Services Customer Handbook To obtain a LINK Services Customer Handbook containing guidelines for using LINK Local, LINK Express, and LINK reservation services, call 358-GRTC (4782) or 278-9111.

Local route summary

• Route 75 – Kmart at DuPont to John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Coach Road, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Route 76 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Industrial Air Park via John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, and Wagner Building on Lucy Corr Blvd, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturday – Route 76 ends at Chesterfield Government Complex. Does not service Wagner Building or the Air Park)
• Route 77 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Service the Park at Lakewood apartment complex. Cloverleaf Mall and Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Route 78 – Cloverleaf Mall to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Travels via Twin Ridge Lane/Sheltering Arms, Gateway Center, The Arboretum, Moorefield Park and Southlake Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Express route summary

• Route 80 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Interstate 95, 5:55 a.m.-6:44 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
• Route 81 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. via Powhite Parkway, 6:40 a.m.-6:15 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
• Cloverleaf Mall and Kmart at DuPont on Jefferson Davis Highway are transfer points to connect with city buses serving the Richmond region.

“I’m anxious to give the new public van service a try,” said Renny Bush Humphrey, chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “I think Chesterfield County will benefit from the new service.

“It’s what we need,” she added. Humphrey said that it’s important that the new service not be judged by its first few days of operation. Because it’s a new service some adjustments may be needed, she explained.

“We’re very excited about this new van service being started here in Chesterfield County,” said County Administrator Lane B. Ramsey. “It will help many of our citizens get to jobs not only in Chesterfield County, but in the region as well. It also will be beneficial to students, seniors, employees at major employment centers, people going to medical appointments, physically challenged individuals and more.”

Ramsey added, “Chesterfield County’s partnership with GRTC on this service will bring a whole new dimension in public transportation to Chesterfield County. We view it as a significant enhancement in our service to our citizens, and we anticipate that it will be widely used.”