Want to Deter Crime in Your Neighborhood? Start with These Proven Strategies That Make A Difference

Let’s face it—everyone wants to feel safe in their own home. But for many homeowners across Washington State, that peace of mind has been disrupted by a noticeable uptick in neighborhood crime.

In areas across the Puget Sound, reports of trespassing, property theft, car prowls, and even break-ins are steadily rising. According to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, property crimes remain the most reported offenses in the state—with over 150,000 incidents in 2023 alone. And while local police do their best, the truth is they can’t be everywhere at once. That’s why more and more communities are taking proactive action.

The Most Effective Crime Deterrent: Private Security Patrols

If you truly want to reduce crime where you live, the most impactful step you can take is to work with your HOA or neighborhood group to hire a private security patrol company. Partnering with a professional, local provider like Seattle’s Finest Security and Traffic Control ensures consistent, high-visibility patrols that make it clear to criminals: this neighborhood is protected. Seattle’s Finest is proud to be the #1 employer of off-duty law enforcement officers in Washington State, and our residential patrol services are trusted by communities across the region to keep families safe, day and night. But while hiring a security patrol is your strongest frontline defense, it’s not the only one. There’s another tool you can use right now, right at home—without spending a dime.

Enter CPTED: A Smart, Practical Approach to Crime Prevention

Have you heard of CPTED before?

It stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, and it’s a long-standing, research-backed approach to reducing criminal activity by making small but strategic changes to the physical layout of your property.

The idea is simple: the way your home and yard are designed can either invite criminal behavior—or discourage it completely.

CPTED helps you send the message that your property is:

• Watched

• Cared for

• Actively lived in

• Difficult to approach unnoticed

And when a potential trespasser or thief sees that? They’re far more likely to move on.

How Homeowners Can Use CPTED to Secure Their Property

Here’s how you can start applying CPTED principles around your home right away:

1. Natural Surveillance

The more visible your property is, the less attractive it is to criminals.

• Trim back overgrown bushes and tree limbs that could conceal movement

• Install motion-activated lighting near doors, windows, and driveways

• Use open-style fencing to allow clear sightlines from the street

• Position outdoor seating and windows to increase visibility to entry points

2. Access Control

Make it obvious where people should and shouldn’t be.

• Use gates, hedges, or decorative fencing to guide visitors to your front door

• Keep side and back gates locked

• Use smart locks or video doorbells for added entry awareness

3. Territorial Reinforcement

Send a signal that this space is monitored and owned.

• Install security signs, even if you don’t have a full system

• Define borders with landscaping, lights, or pavers

• Maintain a clean, well-kept appearance to show pride of ownership

4. Maintenance

Criminals target areas that appear neglected.

• Fix broken lights, fences, or mailboxes quickly

• Remove graffiti or vandalism promptly

• Keep your lawn trimmed and sidewalks cleared

Together, these strategies create an environment that naturally repels crime—before it even happens.

Final Thoughts: Take the First Step Toward a Safer Neighborhood

If you’re serious about reducing neighborhood crime, it starts with collective action.

✔️ Talk to your HOA about bringing in regular private patrols

✔️ Encourage your neighbors to apply CPTED principles around their homes

✔️ Take the first step toward real safety—not just the illusion of it

Seattle’s Finest offers professional, law enforcement-led residential patrols that are proactive, visible, and ready to respond when it matters most. Whether you’re concerned about porch pirates, car prowls, or suspicious loitering, we’ve got your neighborhood covered.

You don’t have to live in fear—you just need a plan.

Contact us today to see how we can provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.