What is the primary goal of natural surveillance in physical security?

Natural surveillance focuses on the strategic design of an environment to enhance visibility, allowing people to observe activities and deter potential criminal activities. This approach hinges on the idea that when spaces are designed with sight lines that promote visibility, it becomes more difficult for criminal actions to occur unnoticed. By creating environments that are open and well-lit, encouraging foot traffic, and placing windows and entrances in ways that facilitate observation, natural surveillance empowers both the public and security personnel to identify and respond to suspicious behaviors effectively.

This method is often a cost-effective strategy, emphasizing the use of architecture and landscaping over surveillance technology. It fosters a sense of community awareness and involvement in security without the need for constant supervision or electronic systems, which can sometimes be less reliable or less effective. Thus, the primary goal is to reconfigure physical spaces to bolster observation capabilities, significantly reducing opportunities for crime.