Application of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)
To Improve Passenger and Airport Security
Introduction
The imposition of airport security is founded upon Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. To fulfill this right the fundamental purpose of airport security is to keep dangerous objects such as knives, guns, bombs and dangerous chemicals from being placed on board the plane especially for long flights since an evacuation would be impossible or difficult to accomplish to avert danger and harm to the passengers.
Airport security has increased in importance due to the increasing human and cargo traffic that pass through the airport system increasing the risks for passengers, particularly since these risks have been realized in several instances already from hijacking to bomb explosions. Due to heightened risks airports are also enhancing their security measures to meet new threats to the safety of passengers. The paper will discuss existing airport security, determine whether Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an applicable system, and recommend airport design that would improve airport security.
Implementation of Passenger Security
Securing passenger security is implemented through airport and airside security measures. Airport security pertains to the security measures applied in the public areas such as the departure and arrival locations including the passenger checking or screening area while airside security refers to the security strategies used in areas not open to the public such as the airfield and facilities exclusively for cargo. Ensuring security in these areas involves the development and implementation of security standards covering the various areas of operations and standard operating procedures for every conceivable security threat that could happen during airport operations. (2003)
In relation to airport security all airports conduct security measures. Passenger and baggage screening comprise the bulk of security measures in areas open to the public. The identity of passengers is checked by asking them to provide their passports so that their identity can be checked with existing crime and security database to determine possible security risks. Apart from this metal detectors and bomb detection devices are used to check the baggage of passengers to ensure that no harmful or potentially harmful objects are brought inside the aircraft. As an added precaution the security division of the airport constantly monitors human traffic inside the airport through cameras and visual observation to determine any suspicious action. ( 2003)
In the case of airside security, identification cards together with driving and vehicle permits serve as the basic security check. In addition, rules on speed limit, authorized driving routes, safe activities near aircrafts, cargo handling, safety sign compliance, and aircraft refueling and check-up procedures are strictly implemented. ( 2003)
Moreover, apart from the precautionary airport security activities that every airport has to implement diligently, airports also provide their personnel information and training on the standard operating procedures for different threats and risks that may occur in the airport. This is an important aspect of passenger security because the entirety of airport personnel is expected to be adept at threat recognition, risk assessment, and quick decision-making to allay recognized threats. In support of the risk management strategies of airports, all airports have established communication links between the different operating divisions of the airport in order to facilitate immediate information sharing in cases of risky situations and coordinate the action of the different working units in order to efficiently manage the risk or threat. ( 2003)
Role of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
Ensuring passenger security involves different aspects of security management. Apart from the standards and rules governing the operations of the airport and the briefing and training of airport personnel, the management of the airport environment is another important security management area, with environment referring to the aggregate of the physical space comprising the airport hosting passenger and cargo traffic.
Due to the need to manage the airport environment in order to enhance passenger security, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) may be applied to the airport setting. Three CPTED approaches have emerged since the introduction of the concept in the late 1960s. First is the approach advocating the reduction of opportunities for crime introduced by (1971) as a precautionary measure against crime or delinquency by manipulating a created environment. Another approach that emerged is defensible space (1972) that correlates the high crime rate with the design of environments that allow opportunities for crime prevention. As a solution, three concepts should be incorporated into environmental design, which are: territoriality, natural surveillance as well as image and milieu. The third approach is situational crime prevention that expanded the crime prevention theory to every conceivable environment including airports ( 1976; 1980; 1981).
Although the theory was originally applied in urban community settings such as high-rise buildings, elevators, fire escapes and corridors by redesigning these spaces in order to ensure that there is constant public surveillance to deter criminal acts the concept also applies to the airport setting, which is a created environment. Reducing opportunities for risky situations has also increased in importance since prevention is the preferred system rather than the actual resolution of threats.
With regard to the first approach, reducing opportunities for security breaches involves the application of identity checks for all passengers going inside the airport together with personal and baggage screening to detect any harmful objects brought inside the airport. Through the implementation of security measures, the airport becomes a safe environment because the opportunities for the commission of crimes using harmful objects and substances are reduced.
In relation to the second approach, creating a defensible environment involves designing the airport environment in such a manner that it prevents the commission of crime. Applying territoriality in airports involves the delineation of enclosed and secure space for different people such as the designation of areas accessible and not accessible to the public, waiting areas and security checks so that people are able to mark their personal spaces. Implementing surveillance in airports includes observation of activities in the airport as well as visibility of security personnel that inculcates the notion of a safe environment for people. Image and milieu applies to the airport environment when the airport has built a reputation for providing a secure environment for its passengers by giving passengers an actual secure airport experience.
Regarding the third approach, crime prevention depending on the particular situational context covers the determination of the particular crime opportunity prevention methods unique to the airport setting such as requiring travel documents, physical searches, metal detector tests, baggage x-ray and other necessary security measures.
Although, CPTED has been criticized as an insufficient alternative to socio-economic solutions and as encouraging the mere displacement of crime to other areas, it is important to note that this concept does not claim to provide a cure-all solution to crime or security threats but only provide a partial solution to alleviate security risks while socio-economic solutions remain elusive.
Future Developments in Airport Design that will Improve Security
Security breaches in airports are largely attributed to human error so that future developments in airport security are directed towards technological innovations that are non-invasive in application that augments the limitations of human perception. Future airport security design would involve strategically placed intelligent technological gadgets that would detect a wide array of harmful and possibly threatening things that humans may not be able to easily detect. Some of the technological security equipment being considered for use in airports in the near future is x-ray machines for people that would detect objects which may look unsuspicious to the normal visions, biometric identification systems that check identity through the unique features of individuals, computer systems able to automatically detect suspicious activity as this is captured on video, and thermal imaging to detect chemical substances which are not components of the human body. These technological innovations would minimize opportunities for threatening situations and create a secure environment for passengers. (2003)
Conclusion
Airport security is evolving due to the need to address the challenges that have been thrown at the existing security strategies of many airports proving that there is always room for improvement amidst incessant security measures. Due to the need for constant security improvement in airports, the crime prevention through environmental design has re-emerged as a viable but partial solution to security threats. The idea is to develop security measures covering both the physical and social airport environment that would minimize opportunities for the actualization of security threats. The CPTED concept in its contemporary usage is reflected in the technological advancements in identity check and harmful object detection that are effective but non-invasive or constricting.
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