What is the main focus of environmental design in crime prevention?

The main focus of environmental design in crime prevention is centered on modifying physical environments to reduce crime opportunities. This approach recognizes that crime is often influenced by the characteristics of the environment in which it occurs. By altering features such as lighting, landscaping, building layouts, and access points, it is possible to make it more difficult for criminal acts to take place. This method, known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), aims to deter potential offenders by removing or altering the physical aspects that could facilitate crime, thereby fostering safer spaces for communities.

In contrast, options relating to developing policies for law enforcement agencies or changing judicial procedures focus on systemic changes rather than the physical context of crime. While community awareness programs about legal rights can be beneficial for educating the public, they do not directly address how the physical design of spaces can influence crime rates. Thus, modifying the physical environment is a specific and actionable strategy central to the principles of environmental design in crime prevention.