Landscape Design
Principles for Crime Prevention
 Stopping crime before it happens is
an important goal for the City of Farmington Hills because the City
believes that a safe community is a desirable community. The
Farmington Hills Police Department has established a Crime Prevention
program, designed to help members of the community identify practical
and meaningful methods to address safety concerns in their environments.
Often, the methods involve simply re-thinking the way we place things in
the environment.
The City of Farmington Hills has encouraged, and in some cases
required, the extensive use of plant material and screen walls in the
built environment. The City’s crime prevention effort has directed
attention to the placement and maintenance of these elements so that
they continue to enhance the environment but won’t compromise the safety
of the people who live, work and play in and around them.
Below are some guidelines and suggestions to consider when designing
new landscapes or preparing maintenance plans:
- Avoid planting evergreen shrubs beneath windows and around
entranceways. If evergreen shrubs are present already, prune
then at the bottom to form ‘horseshoes’ so that objects or people can
be seen beneath and behind them.
- Keep shrubs pruned to a height of not more than 4½ feet in height
around entranceways and windows, where possible.
- If shrubs are planted beneath windows, consider planting shrubs
that are ‘prickly’ or have thorns to discourage people from hiding
behind them.
- Police officers in vehicles can patrol the City more efficiently
and completely if they can see into developments from the street.
When designing landscapes, consider the following:
- Solid walls are impenetrable. Although they create
privacy, they also create a security risk. Use walls
cautiously. A see-through fence (i.e. wrought iron with
decorative brick pillars) can provide the separation desired without
blocking important views.
- Trim the bottom branches of evergreen trees around doorways,
carports and between public thoroughfares and parking lots.
- Carports provide good protection for cars. They also
provide a great place for people to hide. If carports are part
of a development, make sure the inside of the carport can be seen
from the street.
Should you have any questions regarding crime prevention, contact the
Crime Prevention Division at the Farmington Hills Police Department
(248) 871-2750.
Adopted June 4, 1998
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