Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (aka CPTED)

Facade Improvement Rebate Program

What you need to know

Our department is actively working with the Eureka Police Department and the Code Enforcement and Building Department on the Façade Improvement Rebate and CPTED Grant Program.

CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach to crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments. This program is intended to improve the appearance of commercial buildings within the City limits of Eureka in order to reduce crime and promote better health and wellness within the community. This initiative proposes to ensure these environmental improvements by offering financial rebates to businesses and property owners for costs associated with improvements to their buildings exteriors and landscaping. The City's CPTED team has had over twenty-five site visits with interested businesses which resulted in fresh paint, improved lighting, increased landscaping, and added security cameras. It is our hope that this program continues to support the improvement of business and property appearances throughout the city as a measure to reduce crime and increase community well-being.

To learn more about crime prevention through environmental design, please visit the international CPTED learning portal. There is a great deal of evidence that shows improving an environment leads to reduced crime and increased health and wellness, and this initiative is meant not only to beautify Eureka and increase security and safety for businesses, but to ensure residents and visitors alike experience increased health and wellness in a more general sense.

The current state of the grant guarantees funding for this program will support upgrades for up to 40 businesses. So far, several businesses have already received funding, and our City Council has extended the program with more funding. If your business is interested in the program, see more about the Facade Improvement Rebate Program (PDF). This PDF is a comprehensive overview for motivations behind the grant as well as the application process, and is encouraged reading for anyone interested in applying. It will detail guidelines, exclusions, eligible upgrades, the application process, and CPTED best practices, and will serve as an excellent reference to grant applicants throughout the application process.

Eligible Upgrades

The following list is not conclusive but will give an idea of facade and property upgrades that are eligible for grant funding. All proposed upgrades must be shown to improve community appearance, actively reduce or deter crime, or otherwise promote the general wellbeing of the neighborhood.

1. Exterior Painting
2. Decorative facade treatment
3. Signage
4. Fascia, canopies, awnings, parapets
5. Screening of roof-mounted equipment that is visible from the street
6. Landscaping and streetscaping that relates directly to the positive image of the building
7. Security camera system installation
8. After-market window treatments to prevent breakage
9. Exterior lighting that is downward facing
10. Dumpster security, consolidation, and screening

How to Apply

To apply for CPTED you must first meet with our team for approval and to be sure your property or business qualifies for the grant. To do this, contact Swan Asbury to schedule a brief pre-application meeting and discuss your desired changes. During the meeting, a site-survey will be planned if your desired improvements are eligible for the program. To better facilitate this process, fill out the application information prior to your on-site survey. Be advised the initial phone call and discussion with an Economic Development Coordinator still needs to occur before the site survey; filling out the application will simply speed the process along assuming the initial meeting and site survey goes well.

After the initial meeting you will work with members of our team or other City departments such as code enforcement in an on-site survey at the proposed property for improvement. Once further input has been given and the site survey conducted, Economic Development will review the final proposal and decide whether to approve the rebate incentives or to request further architectural services such as working drawings or independent inspections.

After approval, the property owner is responsible for initiating the proposed improvements. The property owner is also responsible for notifying City staff of contracts awarded to third parties in connection with this program, and all receipts for improvements need to be provided and verified by staff prior to payment of any grant funds. The City will then reimburse the applicant for the appropriate amount of funds upon completion of the project and when all receipts have been received. 

CPTED Best Practices

Even if you do not end up participating in the grant program, please spend some time looking over the recommended best-practices for reducing crime and improving community wellness through environmental management. Keeping these five principles in mind during your day-to-day life will benefit you and your community in the long-term, as they are proven to help in reducing crime and increasing health and wellness. 

Natural Surveillance
“See and be seen” is the overall goal when it comes to CPTED and natural surveillance. A person is less likely to commit a crime if they think someone will see them do it. Lighting and landscape play an important role in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

Natural Access Control
Natural Access Control is more than a high block wall topped with barbed wire. CPTED utilizes walkways, fences, lighting, signage, and landscape to clearly guide people and vehicles to and from the proper entrances. The goal with this CPTED principle is not necessarily to keep intruders out, but to direct the flow of people while decreasing the opportunity for crime.

Territorial Reinforcement
Creating or extending a “sphere of influence” by utilizing physical designs (such as pavement treatments, landscaping and signage that enable users of an area to develop a sense of proprietorship over it) is the goal of this CPTED principle. Public areas are clearly distinguished from private ones. Potential trespassers perceive this control and are thereby discouraged.Maintenance
CPTED and the “Broken Window Theory” suggests that one “broken window” or nuisance, if allowed to exist, will lead to others and ultimately to the decline of an entire neighborhood. Neglected and poorly maintained properties are breeding grounds for criminal activity. We will work with you to develop a formal CPTED-based maintenance plan to help you preserve your property value and make it a safer place.

Dumpster Security, Consolidation, and Screening
Securing dumpsters helps with ongoing issues of misuse and illegal dumping.