* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Torrence
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Study and Report - Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
For the purpose of requiring the City Administrator, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Director of the Department of Planning, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of Baltimore, and the President and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation to submit a report detailing how Baltimore City can prevent and reduce crime using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategies.
body
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That:
(a) No later than 180 days after enactment of this Ordinance, the City Administrator, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Director of the Department of Planning, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of Baltimore, and the President and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation shall submit a report detailing how Baltimore City can prevent and reduce crime using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (“CPTED”) strategies.
(b) CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments to prevent crime. CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among residents to ensure communities gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime, and minimize fear of crime. There are 5 basic principles that guide CPTED:(1) natural access control, (2) natural surveillance, (3) territorial reinforcement, (4) maintenance, and (5) activity support.
(c) The report shall include:
(i) a list of priority areas for CPTED implementation that is created using the following:
(A) qualitative data, including interviews and safety audits;
(B) quantitative data, including crime statistics, crime maps; and
(C) an accounting for potential crime displacement;
(ii) a mode of incorporating CPTED principles into project development, specifically projects that encourage revitalization of underutilized or vacant public areas in close proximity to residential, commercial, and industrial areas, and public parks, pocket parks, common areas, major intersections, and other important public spaces;
(iii) a means to collaborate with public health professionals to examine and
propose uses for CPTED principles; and
(iv) a strategy to build upon existing community policing programs that are
appropriate and build trust with community members and community groups
in CPTED identified priority areas.
(d) The City Council shall call a hearing:
(i) where the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement shall present the findings and recommendations of the report;
(ii) to which representatives from the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City and community groups will be invited to comment.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the day it is enacted.