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Many fast-food operations as well as convenience store companies have long realized the benefits of researching the crime environment prior to investing in a new location. Additionally, that research has impacted interior, exterior, and landscape architectural design. Commercial enterprises that, heretofore, have chosen to do diligence in this area should consider this exercise as a necessity in a post 9/11 era.
The increase in premises liability litigation cases where the assertion of "inadequate security" is made, further supports this notion.
Fore-knowledge of potential criminal activity as well as the efficacy of the police to cope, must impact the decisionmaking process. The existence of potential terrorist targets in anelocale must figure into the equation.
Armed with this information, decision makers with be able to assess whether a particular location is feasible. Second, budgetary requirements for security measures can be made a part of the equation. Third, architects in concert with security professionals will be able to factor CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) principals into the overall facility design. Even before 9/11, we were beginning to see these principles in action. CPTED criteria are also being applied to both remodeling projects as well as to additions to existing facilities. Proactive designs are far less costly than reactive remedies. |
