Factors influencing the successful implementation of crime prevention through environmental design program

Abstract

The rising crime rate in Kuala Lumpur, in line with the implementation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) starting from 2004 has sparked questions on the effectiveness of the implementation by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH). CPTED is a manipulation of the built environment to prevent the occurrence of crime. It is an effective method to be implemented which is also a cost efficient method for long term period. This study aims to examine factors that will influence the successful implementation of CPTED, as well as to determine the awareness level of the implementers and the implementation level by the KLCH. The scope of this study focuses on the implementation of CPTED by the KLCH implementers who is involved in the developments of Kuala Lumpur. This study applies ‘mixed method’ methodology because of the research objective requires quantitative and qualitative data. Two techniques were used for this study; quantitative techniques using questionnaires and qualitative techniques using semistructured interviews with ‘content analysis’ method for relevant policy documents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 321 respondents from ten technical departments and one non-technical department while semi-structured interviews were conducted with three officers from the Top Management Level. Respondents were selected using the ‘purposive sampling’ technique. Questions were designed to explore ten factors that have been formulated from the theoretical framework. Quantitative data and qualitative data were analysed using the interpretation technique. The quantitative data was described using the median value, percentage and frequency. The awareness and implementation level of CPTED by the KLCH was at a moderate level. This was affected by several factors, namely (1) lack of effective communication and five ancillary factors namely (2) lack of awareness, (3) lack of education and knowledgeable staffs, (4) lack of skilled and capable staffs, (5) lack of cooperation and (6) lack of effective monitoring systems. In conclusion, the successful implementation of CPTED by the KLCH can be enhanced by improving the factors identified within this research.