Underhill Park Changes Dampen Crime

Plagued by drug dealers, hoodlums and vagrants, Underhill Park on Spokane’s South Side was no place for children.

Neighbors, the city’s Parks Department, and even the police weren’t sure how to make the park safe again for families.

Then came a new design theory called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

Today, Underhill Park seems brighter, open and inviting.

As information about CPTED (pronounced “sep-ted”) spreads, its principles are being used regularly in new housing developments, parks and neighborhoods.

Spokane police officers Rick Albin and Dan Bunn have become CPTED experts, along with Spokane County Sheriff John Goldman and Deputy Greg Snyder. The four went through 40 hours of training in Seattle last spring.

After studying Underhill, the officers recommended trimming trees and removing bushes so neighbors had a clearer view of the park.

They removed a picnic table from under a light that had become a drug dealer’s office. The bench was placed near the swings and play area to encourage families to use the park.

Washington Water Power installed more lights.

“Anything that makes us - legitimate people - feel comfortable makes the criminal feel uncomfortable,” said Albin.

“It’s remarkable how quickly this has taken off. Six months ago, we weren’t doing any of this,” he said.

“By using some of these principles we can begin to eliminate vast numbers of calls for service,” said Goldman. “We can free up a lot of resources to devote to more serious crime.

“Ultimately, we can save money and make the area safer.”

The Five Mile Prairie neighborhood council recently asked for CPTED recommendations on two large subdivisions planned in its community, including Summerhill in the city and Willow Run, a manufactured housing park in the county.

“A law enforcement officer can look at a design and predict crime opportunities,” said Candace Dahlstrom, a Five Mile Prairie resident and a member of the neighborhood council crime committee.

“We hope developers will see the sense in this for the good of the community,” she said. “I think this would be a wonderful marketing opportunity for developments.”

Spokane city and county planners are just starting to consider crime prevention aspects when reviewing new projects.

Snyder of the Sheriff’s Department reviewed plans for Willow Run, the 238-unit manufactured home park proposed on Five Mile Prairie. He predicted dramatically increased traffic, a lack of places for people to walk, and streets that are too narrow.

Snyder said that with so many cars passing homes, it would be difficult for neighbors to determine who belonged in the area and who was out of place.

He suggested several entries to the housing area, instead of one main entrance off Five Mile Road, to create more of a community feeling.

“Here is a sheriff’s deputy, trained in traffic problems,” said Dahlstrom. “It is interesting to have his perspective on the roads.

“They are the ones who have to deal with it. Their voice should be heard.”.

Developer Greg Yost said he’s agreed to work with Snyder to incorporate some of his ideas in Willow Run.

“I want to have a nice, safe environment in my development,” Yost said.

“I think it’s a good program,” he said. “I’m happy to do what I can to foster a safe environment.”

John Pederson, senior planner for the county, said CPTED ideas are recommendations at this point.

But in the city, managers are looking seriously at CPTED as a crime prevention and planning tool.

“It worked out very, very well for us,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ange Taylor. “In addition, it brought the Parks and Recreation Department and Police Department closer together in a cooperative venture.”

Planning Director Charlie Dotson has signed up two planners from his department to attend a 40-hour CPTED course that will be offered by nationally known crime prevention expert Timothy Crowe in Spokane next month.

Crowe says attention to architecture and space management can reduce crime in neighborhoods, parks, schools, shopping centers and apartment complexes.

“The key is to make people more responsible for larger areas of their community,” said Albin.

That means bringing “legitimate” people out of their houses and cloistered back yards and into front yards and onto porches and sidewalks.

“Burglars don’t have a chance in neighborhoods where families watch each other’s houses, know everyone on the block, and look out windows,” said Albin.

While reviewing the Summerhill subdivision development plans, Albin suggested wrought-iron fences in the back yards, a park with play equipment and benches, and much wider streets.

According to CPTED experts, burglars are scared off by neighborhood activity, front doors and back yards that everyone can see, tidy yards and well-lighted areas.

One convenience store, using the CPTED method, started playing classical music. The troublemakers left.

Perception is everything.

Wide-open Wall Street downtown “feels” like the safest place in the city because of its openness, and all the businesses have doors and windows with views of the street, Richards said.

“People feel vulnerable when they walk past a vacant store front, Richards said.

“It’s a very gentle way of doing crime prevention,” she said.

In neighborhoods, she advocates front porches and a clear view of front doors. She suggests a 4-foot hedge of Oregon grape or barberry instead of fencing to discourage burglars, but still offer a view.

“We have wonderful neighborhoods now. We need to keep them that way,” Richards said.

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