NCPC Visits the Nicaraguan National Police to Share Principles, Techniques and Best Practices of CPTED

Nicaragua, previously one of the safer countries in its region, can afford only 18 policemen for every 10,000 people, according to The Economist, and its crime rate is projected to rapidly accelerate in the next few years, perhaps even superseding those of its neighbors. Faced with increasing crime rates and inadequate law enforcement funding, the Nicaraguan National Police has invited the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) of the U.S. to lead training sessions on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in Nicaragua. 

Embracing this unique opportunity to work positively with law enforcement on a global scale, NCPC will host two five-day training sessions on CPTED on Corn Island and in Bluefields, Nicaragua, Jan. 14-18 and Jan. 21-25, respectively. U.S. police departments, which have also faced increasing budgetary constraints, have encountered great success employing CPTED principles in recent years, and believe the National Police of Nicaragua can benefit from this approach to law enforcement as well.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design calls for collaboration among community residents, municipal leaders, law enforcement, business leaders, and architects, especially in planning stages, to construct physical environments that positively influence human behavior and inhibit crime. The theory is based on four principles: natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality, and maintenance.

In addition to CPTED, the National Crime Prevention Council trainers will address community policing strategies and encourage community involvement with the Nicaraguan National Police, based on the Council’s 30-year history of promoting collaboration between communities and law enforcement.
NCPC’s trip to Nicaragua is the beginning of what both parties hope to turn into a long-standing partnership. A partnership where there is an exchange of law enforcement strategies, such as CPTED, to help the National Police of Nicaragua enjoy some of the same success that law enforcement in the U.S. has experienced. More information about CPTED is available at www.ncpc.org/training/training-topics/crime-prevention-through-environmental-design-cpted-.