Edenmore Community Safety Assessment Shopping Centre Pdf

Edenmore Community Development
Project

Community Safety Assessment

Edenmore Shopping Centre

Background
The Edenmore Community Development Project is a local initiative funded
by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) as
part of its nationwide strategy of using a Community Development Model
for improving the Social, Economic and Environmental conditions of
marginalised communities experiencing high levels of deprivation.

This Program provides financial assistance to fund community
development projects in disadvantaged areas. It also provides support for
self-help work in specific target groups that experience disadvantage -
disadvantaged women and men, lone parents, Travellers, etc. - in order to
help them articulate their point of view and participate in a process of
personal and community development. The Program is included in the
National Development Plan as a sub-measure in the social inclusion
measures in the Regional Operational Programs.1

Edenmore CDP is involved in a range of initiatives that seek to ensure
the policy and strategy objectives of the Department are met, in
conjunction with their own local area plan. Two such initiatives are the
local Community Safety Group and the Edenmore Business Association. As
part of our commitment to supporting these groups Edenmore CDP offered to
carry out an extensive Community Safety2 Assessment of the Edenmore
Shopping Area. The purpose of the Assessment is to provide a
comprehensive outline of those areas which are impacted by crime, anti-
social behavior and disorder. It informs us of the concerns that people
are voicing and the experiences they have had. It enables clearer
patterns of behavior to emerge and identifies those areas that should be
of highest concern to those tasked with tackling these issues. The
Assessment also provides recommendations on how these issues may be
addressed, drawing upon established Good Practice, academic research and

1
http://www.pobail.ie/en/CommunityLocalDevelopmentProgrammes/
2
quot;The term 'community safety' is seen as having both situational and social aspects, as well as being concerned with people,
communities and organisations, including families, victims, and risk groups as well as attempting to reduce particular types of
crime and the fear of crime. Community Safety should be seen as the legitimate concern of all in the local community.” Source:
Safer Communities, Home Office 1991.
2

the experiences of those agencies involved in Crime Prevention and Crime
Reduction.

The Assessment process itself involves several
key elements:

A. Repeat Victimisation Assessment3

Past victimisation predicts future victimisation and is, therefore,
preventable. A growing body of evidence shows that certain people and
places suffer repeated incidents of crime. This element of the
assessment identifies repeat patterns.

B. Residents Survey

Gathering information about the experiences of people living in areas
experiencing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder is vital to
understanding the situation and any potential solutions. Residents
Surveys are tailored to the circumstances under assessment but are
underpinned by several key elements.

C. Built Design Assessment

The practice of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED), or the more commonly used Secured by Design principles,
emerged in the 1960s with Jane Jacob’s The Death and Life of Great
American Cities (1961) and Elizabeth Woods Social Aspects of Housing
in Urban Development (1967). Jacob’s book was the first work to
suggest that the ‘street-life’ of a community and its design could
reduce the opportunities for crime. Drawing on established approaches
to looking at the built environment under assessment, it will be

3
http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/toolkits/rv00.htm

3

possible to identify areas of concern and make recommendations. In
particular the work of C. Ray Jeffrey’s4 Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (1971) and Oscar Newman’s Defensible Space
(1972) stand out.

D. Use of Official Statistics

Gathering information that has been collated by those officially
responsible is of significant use to those looking at crime and anti-
social behaviour issues. While the caution that accompanies the use
of official statistics has long been identified5 their obvious benefit
and use is more readily identifiable. For the purposes of this
assessment, the information we will be drawing upon will be that
collected by the Central Statistics Office and Garda Síochána , where
relevant.
E. Walk-through Checklist

Assessing some of the key locations around the Shopping Centre area
will be done using a Walk-through Checklist. This tool identifies
some of the immediate responses that people have to their
surroundings and concentrates on the visual and built environments
contributions to feelings of safety. The Walk-through was carried out
be several volunteers at different times and in various locations.
The tool also enables us to quickly identify areas that may need to
be prioritised when looking at Community Safety within a specific
area.

4
http://www.cpted.net/
5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistics#Misuse

4

Business Repeat Victimisation Survey

Within the Edenmore Shopping Centre area there were 26 premises that
were potential respondents to this section of the survey. 2 of these
were office based premises without commercial interest while the
remainder were commercial premises offering a range of goods and
services.

The Survey Questions asked of each premise can be found in the
Appendix. Surveys were carried out by CDP staff and volunteers or
were left with the business to complete and return. Of the 26
premises 19 were surveyed, representing a 73% response rate. A list
of all those who responded is located in the Appendix.

Summary of key findings from the RVA are outlined below:

• Drug dealing, Graffiti and Substance abuse are seen as
the three main problems affecting the Edenmore Shopping
Centre area.

• Weekends are the most problematic times for businesses.

• Festive periods and school holidays see more instances of
crime and anti-social behaviour.

• Most business owners agree that criminal offences are
being committed.

• Overall businesses are unaware of community
organisations or residents associations that may be able to
help tackle issues of crime or ASB, while little collective
action has been taken by local business to tackle these
issues.

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A more detailed presentation of the findings is as follows:

1. What are the main crime and ASB problems that have been identified /
experienced by your commercial business?

Summary of main types of crime and ASB being experienced in the area:

1. Graffiti & Drug Dealing 85%
2. Substance Abuse 63%
3. Harassment of Customers/Passers By, Underage Drinking 57%
4. Vandalism to Property or Goods 52%
5. Threatening Behaviour 42%
6. Joyriding, Theft, Vehicle Crime 37%
7. Noise Nuisance 2%
8. Abandoned Vehicles 6%
9. Racial Abuse 0%
10. Homophobic Abuse 5%

2. How long have these issues been presenting themselves?

The majority of respondents (80%) feel that these problems have been
presenting themselves for years. This also reflects the fact that the
majority of respondents have been operating in the shopping area for more
than 10 years (63%).

3. In what locations are these problems occurring?

These problems occur throughout the entire location, with respondents
referring to areas such as the main thoroughfare through the centre,
outside the public houses, the area close to the school and the areas
directly visible to shop owners outside of their own premises.

4. On what days are these problems occurring?

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Incidents of crime or ASB in the main occur at weekends and during the
night, although incidents are not confined to these times with many
respondents commenting that incidents can occur at any time of the day or
week.

5. Do the same problems present all year round or do noticeable changes
occur at different times, i.e. school holidays, Halloween, etc?

For respondents the problems appear to persist all year round although
they also report that things do get noticeably worse around festive
periods such as Halloween and Christmas, while school holidays were also
identified as being problematic. Respondents commented that during
holiday times more ‘rowdy behaviour’, ‘more arson’ and ‘public drinking’
could be observed during these times.

6. How many people are involved in this behaviour/issue?

&

7. What are the ages involved?

Taken together incidents seem to occur involving small groups of people
which can range widely in age from 10 to 40 and they can be seen
congregating around the business area regularly.

8. Are there offences being committed?

80% of respondents feel that there are criminal offences being committed,
and yet the same percentage of people answered ‘no’ to question 9.

9. Do you know if anyone has ever been charged with an offence as a
result of behaviour directed at your premises/staff?

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80% of respondents either don’t know or believe that people generally are
not charged for criminal offences. Only three shop owners were aware of
any legal proceedings/prosecutions being carried out for offences.

10. Have young people/offenders ever been approached by
Residents/Community about their behaviour? What was the outcome if
they were?

&

11. Have the parents/guardians of any young people been approached about
their behaviour? If they were what was the outcome?

In the main business owners have not approached young people/offenders
and they don’t know or are not aware of community or resident
associations approaching young people/offenders. In general
parents/guardians have not been approached over young people’s behaviour.
In the few instances that they were, shop owners were met with either
indifference or a lack of support from parents/guardians. In some cases
there was even abuse directed at some of the owners.

12. Do you know of any specific measures that have been used to address
some of the issues you are experiencing?

There were a range of responses to this question. Three business owners
reported taking individual action against offenders which included the
barring of certain troublesome individuals from their premises, speaking
directly to those involved and talking to the Gardai. Other shop owners
commented on a collective approach including business association
meetings and Community Safety Group meetings. 57% reported that they did
not know of any specific measures being taken.

13. What specific actions have been taken by the police in addressing
some of these issues you are experiencing?

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42% of businesses have noticed an increased Garda presence through
Community Policing Team patrols in the area over recent months. This has
been welcomed by those who have noticed this, although some expressed
concerns about the timings of these patrols.

14. Do you know of any Residents/Community Groups in the area that may
be able to help in addressing some of these issues?

Three respondents (15%) were aware of community/resident groups that may
be able to help with these issues. In general local businesses are
unaware of any groups that may be able to help to tackle this situation.

15. What is the overall effect of these issues on your business and the
community/area?

It is having a direct impact on businesses in the area through losses in
revenue and sales and in the case of one respondent the extra expense of
hiring security for their premises. Many respondents have described the
shopping centre as turning into a slum or ghetto and that at night it has
become a no-go area. Fear and intimidation are the main causes of this
and it has had a detrimental effect on business. All in all this does not
create a favourable atmosphere for business nor is it thought to be
especially conducive to creating a community spirit, particularly for new
businesses that have opened or for people who are newly resident in
Edenmore.
Length of time that businesses have been in operation in the area.

• Less than 6 months: 0
• 6-12 Months: 1
• 1-3 Years: 5
• 5-10 Years: 1
• 10+ Years 12

9

List of owners and renters:

Owners: 5
Renting: 13

Other Comments from respondents:

“The area needs a much more robust approach to dealing with these
issues and a more concrete management effort from all concerned”.

“I have noticed a greater Garda presence lately”.

“McHugh’s Group do not care about the place as the biggest landlord”.

“Drug dealing is the biggest problem. Things have gone quiet in
recent times as a result of intimidation and fear of coming into the
area. McHugh Group does very little”.

“Access in and out of the shopping centre provides opportunities for
people to avoid the Gardai. Local security guard, local person? Space
is built in a way that attracts problems”.

“The names of the people in the shopping centre should be given to
the police. It is the same people all the time”.

10

Residents Survey

Edenmore Shopping Centre is located within the heart of a residential
housing area and covers 1.4 hectares. The Shopping Centre itself is
essentially a two storey complex. The environs of the Shopping Centre
area are generally of a low visual quality. This housing area is a
mix of traditional Social Housing provided by Dublin City Council and
Privately Owned/Rented. There has been a recent increase in
speculative development on the former sites of some Dublin City
Council properties that have large corner gardens. These developments
have been apartment style housing within the Private Owned/Rented
sector. The Shopping Centre itself is also comprised of 26 flats
above the main commercial premises. The Assessment carried out a
sample survey of those residents living within the Shopping Centre
complex. The purpose of this element was to identify the crime and
anti-social behaviour concerns and experiences of those living
directly within this area.

The Survey was completed by 8 respondents and the findings are
outlined below.

1. How long have you lived in the Shopping Centre complex?

2 of the respondents had lived there for 6 months or less, 2 had
lived there for between 1-2 years and 4 had lived there for 3 years
or more. In 2 of those cases they have lived there for more than 5
years.

2. Do you live alone?

All of the respondents answered No.

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3. (and 4) Do you have any children/dependents below the age of 16
living with you?

88% of the respondents had children/dependents below the age of 16
and 75% of those have children below the age of 5.

5. How satisfied would you say you are living in the Edenmore Shopping
Complex?

2 of the respondents were Very Satisfied, 2 were Satisfied, 2 were
Fairly Dissatisfied and 2 were Very Dissatisfied.

6. What do you like most about living with the Edenmore Shopping Complex?

A range of answers were provided to this question and include:

“The neighbours”
“Good neighbours, good space for kids”
“Closeness to the shops and my mother”
“Closeness to shops and facilities – good neighbours”
“Good neighbours”
“Close to services”
“Close to everything- what my daughter and myself need”
“I have separate entrance from most other flats which gives me a
sense of security”

7. What do you dislike most about living in the Edenmore Shopping Complex?

A range of answers were provided to this question and include:

“From an anti-social behaviour point of view a lot of activity
occurs; you need to make a conscious decision to ignore/avoid it.
It’s occurring on a daily basis”

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“Gangs congregate on stairwells – though maybe not as bad a gang as
it used to be”
“Gangs on stairwells at night time and at weekends”
“People hanging about on the stairwells and drinking”
“Noise from the Young People hanging about – I don’t feel safe”
“The entrances – its a poor environment for the kids; people are
always hanging about on the stairwells”
“Gangs hanging around on the stairwells and at the shops. Mizzonis
(Pizza Shop) is open very late at the weekends”
“Gangs hanging about”

8. What activities or facilities would you like to see provided for
people specifically living within the Edenmore Shopping Complex?

The focus of the respondents to this question was around their
children and what facilities there could be made available for them.
Responses included:

“Something for the kids – like a play area”
“A door to be put back on the stairs – at the top and the bottom”
“A new Gate downstairs and a lift for people with prams”
“Better facilities for children”
“More activities for the kids – a space for the kids”
“Something for the kids is needed”

11. Over the last 18 months, have you or any people living with you
experienced any of the following situations which have caused you
excessive worry or stress?

Many of the respondents chose not to answer this and felt it was
information they were not uncomfortable providing. It was important
for them to understand that the significance of the question was in
relation to any crime and anti-social behaviour that was occurring
within their living area and the impacts that this may be having on

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the categories listed below. Those that chose to respond indicated
the following:

Tick if yes Unemployment

Housing Problems

Financial Problems

Problems caused by neighbours

Not feeling safe w here you live

Problems w ithin your ow n family

Harassment from others

Excessive noise w here you live

Problems w ith your children

Loneliness and/or isolation

Work-related Problems

Yours or some-one else’s Health Problems

We can see that the areas impacted upon most significantly are:

Excessive Noise
Housing Problems
Financial Problems, Not Feeling Safe and Health Related Problems

10. How safe do you feel walking alone in this area after dark?

4 of the respondents feel Fairly Safe, 3 felt Fairly Unsafe and one
felt Very Unsafe.

11. How satisfied are you with the way the area is policed?

1 respondent was Very Satisfied, 1 was Fairly Satisfied, 2 were
Satisfied and 4 were Fairly Dissatisfied and Very Dissatisfied.

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12. How satisfied are you with the way the area is managed by the
owners?

2 respondents were Very Satisfied, 1 was Fairly Satisfied, 2 were
Satisfied, 2 were Fairly Dissatisfied and 1 was Very Dissatisfied.

13. What changes could be made to make policing and managing the
Edenmore Shopping area safer for people who live here?

There were a range of responses which included:

“Have there presence seen more at certain times”
“Looking at access to the area – meetings were previously held but
nothing happened – this needs to be addressed”
“Stop the gangs hanging around”
“Improve the access on the stairwells”
“Teenagers should be removed from the area – stop them hanging
around and drinking. There should be more for them to do in the
area”
“Security – particularly at night. Entrances and stairwells need to
be addressed”
“Stop the gangs hanging around, drinking and kicking footballs”
“There’s nothing you can do except complain to the police – more
CCTV linked directly to the Emergency Services”
“Bring in people from outside Edenmore to deal with the issue”

15

14. Have you experienced any of the following as a result of living
within the Edenmore Shopping Complex area?

Arson
Prostitution
Burglary
Drug dealing
Substance abuse/misuse
Litter and rubbish not collected
Serious Problem
Litter and rubbish dumping
Afraid to come in/out of home
Fairly Serious
Drunk people causing problems Not Serious
People hanging about in groups Doesn’t Occur
Theft of/from cars
Damage to cars
Damage to entries
Graffiti and vandalism to buildings
Noisy neighbours/parties

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

We can see that the most serious experiences are: Graffiti & Vandalism to
Buildings, Damage to the entries, People Hanging about in Groups, Drunk
People causing Problems, Afraid to come in/out of Home, Drug Dealing and
Arson.

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15. Are you worried about any of the following happening to you, your
family, neighbours or visitors?

100%
90%
80% Not Worried
70%
60%
50% Fairly Worried
40%
30%
20%
Very Worried
10%
0%

damaged/vandalised
Property Burgled

harassed/intimidated
Being assaulted in

mugged/robbed

People trying to sell
by people hanging

Property behind
Being
the area

around

drugs
Being

From this we can see that significant numbers of people are either Fairly
Worried or Very Worried about Being Assaulted in the Area, Being
Harassed/Intimidated by People Hanging Around, Being Mugged/Robbed,
Property Being Damaged/Vandalised and People trying to Sell Drugs.

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When asked which of the following the respondents felt were most
important to them in improving the Shopping Centre area in ascending
order of importance, with 1 being most important and 10 being least
important, the following emerged:

Improved Security (CCTV/Monitoring)

Better Lighting

Improved Security Access

Cleaning and Maintaining the area

More businesses staying open later

More Business closing earlier

Better Transport Facilities

More Police Patrols

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Improved Communal Areas for residents

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

From this we can see that the most important improvements and/or actions
that the residents think should be taken are:

Improved Security (CCTV Monitoring)
Improved Security Access
More Police Patrols

16. Are you a member of any Community Groups, Residents Associations
or Clubs?

100% of all the respondents were not members of any Community
Groups, Residents Associations or Clubs. When asked if they would
like to be (Q.16) 65% said they would be interested, if they had
the time and knew more about them.

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19. When asked if they would like to see anything else done in the
area, the following responses were given:

“More CCTV monitoring in the area and more Police/Private Security”
“Knock down the flats and rebuild them with locks and doors and
gates”
“Needs to be painted up, cleaner environment, hanging baskets –
stairwells are disgusting”
“Access for people with buggies – there are lots of parents with
children”
“Conditions could be improved – I don’t ask management to do much
as it can take too long for them too respond”
“I’d like to receive my mail directly”
“Police patrols at evenings and weekends”

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Built Design Assessment

Newman6 identified 3 specific areas that affected the relationship
between crime and the design of an area. These are territoriality,
natural surveillance and image. While the assessment being carried out
was not related to an anticipated design/development the principles can
still be applied when we examine an existing site. These 3 principles
will underpin the built design assessment, with some contemporary
analysis in support.

The method for carrying out this element of the assessment was by
practically surveying the environment, recording what was observed via
photography and note-taking. An extensive archive of images was
subsequently created, some of which have been included here, primarily to
provide visual evidence. All the images archived can be made available
upon request.

Territoriality
Newman’s theory in Defensible Space assumes that people need to mark out
and defend their territory. Good design will encourage this process,
making it clear to people which space belongs to whom. Some will be
completely private, some shared with permissions and some public. Two
simple steps should be followed: firstly clear signage around and on
property, informing people of its status (ownership), how you want people
to behave and where you want them to go while on/around the property.
Secondly, ensure the property is well maintained and demonstrate that you
the owner cares for and manages the property effectively and that you are
observing those that don’t. Territoriality includes:

Defensible Space
Access
Maintenance

6
Defensible Space, 1972.
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Natural Surveillance
It is important for people to be able to casually observe their
environments, whether they are where they live, work or relax. Doing so
enables people to challenge those who either do not belong in the area or
who are not using the area for legitimate reasons. It is important to
note that people only feel that they are able to challenge others when
they have identified with a particular place that they have a territorial
instinct to protect. Natural surveillance includes:

Lighting & Cameras

Image and Environment
Places often experience increased levels of crime and anti-social
behaviour because they have an associated negative image. This may be
something inherited as part of an historical legacy or it may be rooted
in certain realities. Areas with high levels of crime and anti-social
behaviour will attract people who will commit further offences because
they have identified it as an area where the likelihood of being
challenged has been significantly reduced. This contributes to both
residents and businesses sense of a place having a ‘bad’ image. The
affect of this is that it encourages a sense that nothing can be done to
address these problems because they appear complex and entrenched.
Various characteristics can contribute to this. Image and environment
includes:

Graffiti
Criminal Damage and Vandalism
Defined Space
Views
Improvements/Positives

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Territoriality

1. Defensible Space

Pictures 1, 2 & 3: Side railings demonstrate good defensible space
measures, preventing people from putting graffiti on the side of the
building. Advertising boards should be discouraged as it may provide
cover for someone to hide behind. Picture 2: Demonstrates measures that
reduce the ability of someone accessing a private area. It tells someone
you are not allowed in here. Picture 3: Excessive use of defensible space
measures. Although use as a former bank explains this, its current use as
a General Practice Surgery should not require such measures. The message
is ‘stay away’.

Picture 4 & 5: Obvious defensible space measures are indicated by this
perimeter wall and railings. This features in several areas around the
Shopping Centre. However, never closing the gates leads to their use as a
defensible space measure makes them redundant. They are intended to
prevent access at certain times but are never used in that way. In
Picture 5 the vertical poles demonstrate good use of defensible space
measures in preventing vehicular access to the rear of the Shopping
Centre. It does not prevent pedestrian access however, and gates on the
other side of the Shopping Centre that never close means they are
essentially obsolete.

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Defensible Space
Identified Problems Recommendations
1. The main perimeter wall and 1. Use the perimeter fence and
railings, with gated access gates as a way of controlling
points do not serve as access in and out of the
defensible space measures. Shopping Centre area. The
gates should be opened and
locked at specific times that
will facilitate all legitimate
users of the space. A new
system of access control in to
the main area for residents
needs to be urgently sought,
with their input and
agreement. Businesses that
open late (fast food, etc)
should be specifically located
outside of the main Shopping
centre thoroughfare.
2. Access and movement between 2. Control access between
buildings is not prohibited by buildings with improved or new
consistent and integrated defensible space measures,
defensible space measures. such as high railings or
walls. Ensure access control
measures do not prevent access
for emergency services.
3. The Health Centre demonstrates 3. Remove the railings and create
excessive use of the softer defensible space
defensible space principle measures, such as shrubbery or
with the current railings. change of space indicators
such as different paving. If
removal of the railings is not
possible, soften them by using
as climbing frame for plants,
shrubbery, etc. Signage for
the Health Centre should be
clearly visible, sited on the
outside of the railings.
4. The areas around the Shopping 4. Implement new and improved
Centre are not clearly location of signage for the
defined. There is a clear lack Shopping Centre. At all access
of ownership and visual points into the main Shopping
indicators that inform people Centre area there should be
of where they should and clear signage telling people
shouldn’t be. where they are and what is in
the area. There should be
clear signs informing people
of who owns the space, that it
is being observed and that
certain activities will not be
permitted. Where CCTV
23

monitoring is being carried
out this should be made clear
to people using the area.
Signage that does not have
authorisation or is
inappropriate should be
removed. Ensure that the
locating of signage is
relevant to its purpose.
Implement colour schemes for
different areas of the
Shopping Centre that
distinguish private areas from
public areas. These measures
encourage legitimate users to
use the space by raising their
confidence in good management
of the area.

2. Access

Picture 1, 2, 3 & 4: Resident access points to their homes are unsecured
and of extremely poor visual quality. There are no means of preventing
anyone from gaining access to these spaces. There is no visual indicator
to tell people that this space is for residents and legitimate service
providers. This provides considerable explanation for the extent of the
vandalism, criminal damage and poor maintenance of the area. There are
significant accessibility problems for the residents living here.

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Picture 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10: There are widespread access points to and
around the Shopping Centre area. The area has some measures in place to
restrict some types of access and at certain points. However, these do
not integrate across the whole site, which effectively means that while
some points are inaccessible for certain types of access (vehicular and
pedestrian) they can effectively be accessed at other points. In picture
5 & 9 we see measures to prevent vehicular access, but picture 6
demonstrates access at another point which leads to the same area.
Picture 10 demonstrates defensible space measures to prevent access, but
the same area is accessible at Picture 9, making it obsolete. They also
provide shortcuts for pedestrians encourage non-legitimate users and lead
into areas that are difficult to be naturally surveyed. In short,
virtually any area within the Shopping Centre and where residents live
can be accessed, either by foot or in a vehicle, at anytime of the day or
night. The area is never secured to prevent access.

Picture 11 & 12: Demonstrates how some areas provide access to potential
criminals and vandals. Picture 12 shows how the Health Centre roof is
accessible using service boxes wrongly located and without defensible
space measures.

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Access
1. There is complete and 1. The access points for the
unrestricted access to residents need to be urgently
resident’s space and homes, addressed. Controlling and
irrespective of the time of restricting access to the
day or night. residents’ communal and
private areas is essential to
reducing vandalism, criminal
damage, alcohol/drug misuse
in stairwells and improving
the living environment for
the residents. Shared
entrances should have locked
doors, buzzers, intercoms or
entry-phones made of strong,
vandal-proof materials. They
should also be easy enough
for small children or people
with disabilities to use.
CCTV in shared entrances and
stairwells should be
installed. Hidden areas and
blind corners should have
mirrors and covered by
effective lighting. Areas
around the main entrances
need to be distinguishable
from public areas, so that
people know they are entering
an area controlled by
residents. Time-
lights/passives should be
located in areas that
encourage residents to feel
safer. In problem areas such
as the stairwells, these
should be permanently lit,
with white light in protected
lighting units and controlled
from units located away from
the light. Ensure all
residents’ porches/doors are
adequately lit and that they
inform management of when
lights go out or become
damaged / vandalised. Link
all new initiatives and
improvements to tenancy
agreements, provide
information to tenants about
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the role of the improved
security measures and the
overall improvements you
expect them to make to
residents’ environments and
ensure that residents know
how to use any new measures.
2. There is complete and 2. Access points around the
unrestricted access to commercial premises of the
commercial premises, Shopping Centre need to be
irrespective of the time of urgently addressed.
day or night. This is Controlling and restricting
particularly evident in the access to the commercial
central shopping aisle and at premises is essential to
the rear of commercial reducing vandalism, criminal
premises. damage and alcohol/drug
misuse. Access into these
areas should be restricted
with effective Access Control
and defensible space
measures. Use the perimeter
fence and gates as a way of
controlling access in and out
of the Shopping Centre area,
particularly at night. The
gates should be opened and
locked at specific times that
will facilitate all
legitimate users of the
space. Businesses that open
late (fast food, etc) should
be intentionally located
outside of the main Shopping
centre thoroughfare. Improve
existing defensible space
measures. Control access
between buildings with
improved or new defensible
space measures, such as high
railings or walls. Ensure
access control measures do
not prevent access for
emergency services.
Businesses should be
encouraged to install
separate CCTV and defensible
space measures for
themselves, where possible.
Providing advice and guidance
on current recommendations
should be offered to
businesses in partnership
27

with local Crime Prevention
Officers.

28

3. Maintenance

Picture 1: Poorly maintained Shopping Centre area with evidence of
vandalism not cleaned up. In Picture 2 there is evidence of vacant
commercial premises and boarded flats above. This provides a potential
target for vandals and squatters.

Picture 2, 3 & 4: Poorly maintained access to residents’ homes, with
graffiti not being cleaned up and a generally poor environment. The space
also provides potential access and vandalism to residents’ electricity
meters. These should be located away from general access and/or hidden
away from view.

29

Picture 5, 6, 7 & 8: Poorly maintained access to residents’ homes, with
evidence of graffiti not being cleaned up and a generally poor
environment. No door on access stairwell, providing un-prohibited access
and a potential Health & Safety risk to small children playing in this
area. The service provision for drying clothes is insufficient and is at
risk from vandalism and/or theft; evidence of loose wiring, posing a
serious Health & Safety risk. The communal/shared space is not well
provisioned and there is little to distinguish one home from another. The
area is visually poor.

Pictures 9, 10 & 11: Evidence of commercial premises not maintaining some
of the areas to the rear. They also provide opportunities for vandalism
and even arson, as evidenced in picture 11.

Pictures 12 and 13 demonstrate just how badly the areas can become at
times. These pictures were taken by a local resident after a particularly
difficult night. As entrances shared for access to homes, in an area
where 75% of children are under 5 this is unacceptable.

30

Maintenance
1. The Shopping Centre area is 1. The Shopping Centre space can
very poorly maintained as a only be effectively managed
space aimed at legitimate when user responsibilities
Businesses, Residents and the have been identified and
Public. The overall management agreed. The primary business
of the area is not effectively operator in McHugh Group needs
addressing the concerns facing to adopt a more robust and
businesses, the residents and inclusive management strategy
the physical space/building for the area. This strategy
itself. Poor management is needs to incorporate the 3
likely to be contributing to significant stakeholders; the
some of the key issues facing Businesses, the Residents and
the area. The appearance in the service users
many areas is poor (in some (community/public). The
cases, such as stairwells to strategy needs to outline who
residents’ homes, it can only is responsible for what and
be described as shocking) and ensure those responsibilities
communicates a bad image of are met. McHugh Groups
the place. There are poorly employment of one general
defined areas of Manager is severely inadequate
responsibility and ownership in addressing these problems.
which encourages non- Significantly improved human
legitimate users into the resourcing is recommended.
area. This leads to graffiti Improve the overall
vandalism, criminal damage, maintenance of the area, with
appropriation of public and a particular emphasis on the
private space for Residents stairwells and
illegal/anti-social communal living space, the
activities, creates no-go central shopping area
areas and a poor image of the thoroughfare and individual
place. business frontages/shutters.
2. Address the Health & Safety
issues surrounding the exposed
wiring on one of the main
residents’ stairwells, as a
matter of urgency. The general
appearance of the stairwells
and residents entrances needs
to be improved. The smell of
urine in one particular
stairwell needs urgent
attention.
3. Evaluate individual businesses
maintenance of their immediate
areas, both front and back.
Ensure businesses are aware of
their responsibilities for
cleaning and maintaining their
immediate areas, including
shop frontage/shutters. More
31

bins need to be provided
throughout the Shopping Centre
area to tackle the issue of
litter. The current DCC bins
are of a poor design,
minimising the ease with which
shoppers/public are able to
use the bins.
4. Ensure the Management Group is
connected to wider structures
that can assist in addressing
some of the issues, such as
the Edenmore Community Safety
Group, Community Policing Team
and the Community Development
Project. Meeting and liaising
with external structures will
assist in the types of
response and the resources
available to deal with the
issues.

32

Natural Surveillance
1. Security - Lighting & Cameras

Picture 1: Good evidence of surveillance systems around the Shopping
Centre area, with protective cages to prevent vandalism. All lights
should also be encased in a protective cage and anything that may
potentially obstruct the light/views should be removed immediately.
Pictures 2: Good use of lighting, sited high to reduce vandalism. All
lights should be encased in a protective casing. Lights should not be
sited to close to adjoining walls as this reduces their spread/coverage.
Picture 3: Unprotected lighting in the residents areas, which puts then
at risk of vandalism. Lights should also provide significant illumination
around the area they are being used in. These lights do not provide
sufficient illumination in this area.

Picture 4: Good use of surveillance around the Shopping Centre area,
sited high and enclosed in a protective casing to prevent vandalism.
Picture 5 demonstrates good use of lighting around the Shopping Centre
area, raised high to prevent vandalism and providing good coverage both
inside and outside of the perimeter area.

Security: Lighting and CCTV
1. Not all cameras and lights are 1. Ensure all cameras and lights
enclosed in a protective are raised high enough to
shell. avoid damage/vandalism. Ensure
all lights and cameras are
enclosed in protective casings
and anti-vandal dome fittings.

33

2. The current CCTV coverage is 2. Consider dedicated monitoring
not monitored by someone on a of the CCTV. This may be done
permanent basis. This lets at particular times (such as
people know that their evenings) if 24 hr monitoring
movements are not viewed at is not feasible. Securing the
all times. The CCTV coverage Shopping Centre area at night
is only trained on areas would lead to reduced
within the Shopping Centre. monitoring throughout the
There is no CCTV coverage in night. CCTV coverage at the
and around the residential residents access points,
areas. stairwells and in the
immediate areas surrounding
their front doors should be
installed. Install always-on
lighting in the
entrances/stairwells to
residents’ homes.
3. While there is good general 3. Ensure all lights within the
lighting coverage of the area are of a consistent type
Shopping Centre area, there is and cover areas particularly
some inconsistency in type. vulnerable to non-legitimate
use. Lights should be sited
away from potential vandalism,
should be of a high pressure
sodium type, which compliments
CCTV systems by increasing
contrast and making
identification of people
easier.
4. In utilising enhanced security 4. Monitor and evaluate proper
measures such as lighting and use of CCTV and lighting and
CCTV it is also important that take expert guidance on
the area is not visually current advice/regulations
affected by looking like a (Garda advice).
fortress and leaking light
into surrounding areas where
it becomes a nuisance.

34

Image and Environment
1. Graffiti

The occurrence of graffiti around the shopping centre area is without
doubt the most pressing visual concern. It has the most significant
visual impact of anything else. Surveying the area demonstrated the
extent of the problem. It is not restricted to certain areas or surfaces.
It can be found almost anywhere within the Shopping Centre and at access
points into the residents’ homes (particularly stairwells). It can also
be found in the immediate areas where the residents live. Every available
surface gets used, as these images show.

35

A significant distinction is also evidenced by these pictures. The
problem is not graffiti artists doing large scale ‘pieces’ of art work.
The area is simply being tagged or ‘bombed’, with people simply putting
their name (tag) anywhere they can get it. This is a practice largely
discouraged by genuine graffiti artists and considered to be graffiti
vandalism, rather than graffiti art. The images are only a very small
selection of the ones recorded during the survey.

Graffiti
1. Widespread graffiti across all 1. There are 3 suggested
areas of the Shopping Centre. approaches to tackling this
persistent problem. The first
is a rapid response approach.
This involves cleaning the
graffiti as soon as it
appears. This approach has
been employed in some areas
around the Shopping Centre

36

recently, but with little
overall impact. Also, the
graffiti covers so many areas
and surfaces that it would be
an almost impossible task to
tackle under a rapid response
approach. Ensuring that each
individual business cleans
graffiti from their area is
particularly important. Bins,
lamp-posts and service boxes
should be cleaned by the
respective owners e.g. Dublin
City Council, Eircom, etc and
an effective system for
reporting this needs to
established. Recent funding to
tackle graffiti, made
available through Dublin City
Council should be explored. A
second approach would be to
select specific areas of the
Shopping Centre and give them
over to graffiti artists to
use for dedicated art pieces.
This may also provide an
opportunity for working with
some of the local young people
carrying out the
tagging/bombing. A potential
benefit in this approach is
that it gives ownership to
those involved and also
identifies what is acceptable
graffiti and what is
unacceptable graffiti. A
further approach is to prevent
access to areas/surfaces that
can be tagged/bombed. In many
areas this may be possible if
a focus on preventing access
was adopted. This would be
particularly relevant in areas
that generally should not be
accessible, such as
stairwells, roofs, resident’s
space, etc. Preventing access
to the Shopping Centre at
night would also reduce the
opportunities to tag/bomb
certain areas.

37

2. Criminal Damage and Vandalism

Picture 1: Evidence of criminal damage/vandalism to commercial premises
in the Shopping Centre area. Signs like these are particularly vulnerable
to vandalism. In Picture 2 the rear yards of commercial premises have
been subjected to vandalism and criminal damage. In this instance, we see
evidence of forced entry. Un-prohibited access to the rear area enables
people to reach this area. From Picture 3 there is evidence of criminal
damage and vandalism to commercial premises around the Shopping Centre
area.

Criminal Damage and Vandalism
1. Vandalism and criminal damage 1. Prevent access to areas that
are carried out on commercial are subjected to criminal
premises and residents areas. damage and vandalism, reducing
the vandals’ opportunities.
Where criminal damage and/or
vandalism occur ensure that it
is fixed/replaced rapidly.
Commercial premises should be
encouraged to rectify
where/when this occurs. Not
addressing these issues
results in repeat vandalism
and an increased likelihood
that more will vandalism will
occur. Preventing access to
the residents’ space is
particularly important in
preventing damage/vandalism.
The recommendations made in
other sections, such as
Maintenance and Access will
also impact greatly upon the
incidences of criminal damage
and vandalism.

38

3. Space Definition

Picture 1 & 2: There are large areas around the Shopping Centre that do
not tell people clearly what they are for or are not used for the
purposes there were intended. Pictures 1 & 2 demonstrate how large
parking areas are not utilised. Picture 2 also demonstrates the lack of
definition as a rear entrance used for residents. There is no clearly
defined space for resident parking or the general public.

Picture 3 & 4: The space in Picture 1 incorporates an access point to
residents’ homes, a commercial premise (currently vacant) and a communal
shopping area. There is an obvious lack of defining any of these uses.
Nothing tells people what is here and what you can and can’t do in the
area. With the exception of limited signage the area is very poorly
defined and communicates a lack of ownership. An ambiguous space is often
an insecure space, at risk from damage, vandalism and criminal activity.

Picture 5 & 6: Previous evidence of raised beds for plants/trees are
still in place, but no longer used for this purpose. The feature has poor
visual impact and evidence of graffiti communicates that it is no longer
functioning as it should be. The communal space for residents in Picture
6 demonstrates confusion over what the space is for. There should be
39

separate dedicated spaces that can be used in specific ways for
residents.

Space Definition
1. The area lacks clear 1. Identify space hierarchies
definition of space and its around the Shopping Centre
intended use around the area. These should be marked
Shopping Centre area. The area out differently to communicate
does not communicate what that they are to be used
spaces are Public and what differently. Private, public
areas are Private. and semi-public space should
be the 3 distinct hierarchies
identified. These differences
can be marked out visually by
changes in texture (paving),
colour and facilities. This
will require a more detailed
analysis of the space and the
involvement of all the
stakeholders using the space.
2. The area has low visual 2. Soften hard areas with
impact. Hard surfaces dominate shrubbery, changes in
and there are virtually no texture/colour and
attempts to soften the installation of street
uninviting perception this furniture, such as communal
creates. seating areas, architectural
lighting and planters.
3. There is a lack of clear 3. Implement new and improved
signage, which defines location of signage for the
ownership, informs people of Shopping Centre. At all access
the rules and regulations and points into the main Shopping
helps people to move around Centre area there should be
the area. These spaces lack clear signage telling people
verbal cues on how they should where they are and what is in
be used, who it is for and who the area. There should be
controls it. clear signs informing people
of who owns the space, that it
is being observed and that
certain activities will not be
permitted. Where CCTV
monitoring is being carried
out this should be made clear
to people using the area.
Signage that does not have
authorisation or is
inappropriate should be
removed.
4. Install street furniture
within the main shopping
aisle, giving legitimate users
the opportunity to remain in
40

the area and deter non-
legitimate users7. This also
contributes to creating a
visually attractive area.

4. Views

Picture 1 – 7: Depending on the direction people access the Shopping
Centre area; this is what people first see.

7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_furniture
http://www.townscape24.com/

41

Picture 8 & 9: The pictures show the visual impact of the resident’s
areas. There is significant communal space but it is not used well. It
provides a hard surfaced area for the children who live here to play, but
little else.

Views
1. A central tool in creating 1. Consider the image that people
defensible space relates to have of the immediate area and
the image that a place what this says about the
generates. Whether this is a place. Talk to local
housing estate, a shopping businesses and residents about
centre or a school, people’s what they think of the area
perceptions are significantly and its impacts on the larger
informed by the image of a community. Find ways of
place. If a place has a improving the perception that
negative or bad image it may people have of the area. Also
be more likely to experience think about the immediate
crime and anti-social visual responses that people
behaviour because people have when they enter the area
simply think they can get way and the approach from the main
with it. In the case of Repeat arterial routes to it.
Victimisation, whether applied
to a person or a place, once
it has occurred it is more
likely to occur again. This
increases significantly as the
incidents continue to occur.

5. Improvements & Positive Features

42

Picture 1, 2 & 3: Picture 1 demonstrates good commercial presence with
the flower shop. Even at a distance it communicates to people that they
are in a business/shopping area and the type of businesses there are.
Utilising the street space more positively should be encouraged. Picture
2 and 3 shows how commercial premises can ensure their area is well
maintained and reduce the potential for non-legitimate users to gain
access to their premises and waste/products.

Pictures 4 & 5: Recent evidence of some attempts at improving the
immediate Shopping Centre area; however, the scale and appropriateness is
misguided. However, it demonstrates that there is a willingness on the
part of some to take some action to improve the visual impact of the
area.

Positive Features
1. The scale and appropriateness 1. There is a willingness on the
of some of the recent part of the local Business
improvement attempts have been Association and the local
misguided and ill-informed. authority to address some of
the problems. Adopting a more
robust implementation plan
would provide an opportunity
to ensure initiatives are
appropriate and well-informed.
This will result in better use
of resources, encourage
involvement from other
stakeholders and have greater
impacts. Indicators for change
should be identified and
selected. This will enable any
changes to be evidenced.
Currently there are no
indicators of change set out.

43

Use of Official Statistics

In compiling this report there were several attempts made at accessing
Garda statistics useful to the assessment of the area, through both the
Crime Prevention Unit at Santry Station and in writing to the Garda
Research Unit, Garda College Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

No information in relation to official statistics was forthcoming from
either channel.

Walk-through Checklist

The Walkthrough checklist enables us to gather more information about a
specific location within the area under assessment. In large scale
assessments such as Edenmore Shopping Centre, there will be areas
experiencing greater or lesser problems related to crime and Anti-social
behavior. This tool allows us to identify those areas that may be of
greatest concern, what characteristics they have that make them different
and what we can learn from this. The ease with which the tool can be
applied also enables it to be used by people/volunteers not trained in
overall Community Safety Assessments. The consequence of this is that it
collects information from people based on their immediate assessment of a
places ability to make them feel safe or unsafe and takes the
recommendations of those most likely to use the area as a starting point.

44

Map of locations for Walk-through Checklist, with details outlined below.

Location 1: Edenmore Shopping Centre, Central Aisle

This location was surveyed on the following times:

06/03/08 at 8.25pm
11/03/08 at 10.25am
25/03/08 at 3.00pm

An analysis of the findings informs us of the following:

The area falls into the Shopping Area & Other (mixed) categories,
encompassing a number of single storey flats above several of the retail
units.

The surveys found that their responses to the following ranged from:

45

1. The area has a good bus service: Strongly Agree, Agree and Disagree
2. Car Parking is easy Around here: Agree, Strongly Agree & Agree
3. It is easy to find you way around here: Disagree, Strongly Agree &
Disagree
4. The area is well maintained: Strongly Disagree, Strongly Agree and
Strongly Disagree

Pedestrian routes around the area are Pavements & Pathways. 2 of the
three surveys found that the routes were well maintained/in good working
order.

How common are the following:

Graffiti: Common & Very Common
Advertising Billboards: Common
Groups of people hanging around: Common & No Evidence during survey.
Vandalism: Common & Very Common
Unoccupied/derelict buildings: Common

How do the following make you feel:

Graffiti: Unsafe
Advertising Billboards: Safe & No Opinion
Groups of people hanging around: Very Unsafe & Unsafe
Vandalism: Unsafe
Unoccupied/derelict buildings: Unsafe

Is the area well lit: Very Well through the main thoroughfare, with
Floodlights. The light colour is white, none of them appear to be
obstructed and the lighting makes the surveyor feel safer overall.

Visibility & Vision through the site is generally good, with people
visible at over 20 metres and their faces visible between 11-15 metres,
even at night. However, places there are several places where people can
hide, such as the recessed stairwells to the flats. Generally a person
46

can see well along their route, but it is also highly predictable.
Removal of the fencing at either end of the route would also improve a
person’s ability to see their route.

The following act as potential hiding places, prevent some vision along
the route and may contribute to making someone feel unsafe:

Alleyways, walkways, recessed doors, Walls & Fences and some Parked
Vehicles at the end of the thoroughfares.

Predicting a person’s route through the Shopping Centre is Very Easy and
a person could disappear into their surroundings Very Easily.

The area was considered to be Quiet during all the surveying times and
generally contributed to the surveyor feeling Unsafe. Pedestrians,
Traffic and People in Buildings were never considered to be more than 16-
20 metres away, and in some cases as close as 5 metres from the surveyor.

During the evening the surveyors recorded that the only places that a
person could go to if they needed help was the Pizza Shop (Mizzoni) and
houses located close by. None of the surveyors knew if there was a
working telephone close by.

The surveyors noted that there are several CCTV cameras covering the area
and one sign informing people of their use. No Security or Police Patrols
were seen by the surveyors while it was being carried out. The area is
also well lit during the evening, contributing positively to an overall
feeling of safety.

The surveyors found that the overall appearance of the area was that it
was not well maintained and did not invite people in to use the area.

Location 2: Corner of Edenmore Park/Edenmore Avenue

47

06/03/08 at 8.10pm
25/03/08 at 2.00pm


The area falls into the Shopping Area & Other (mixed) categories, being
in close proximity to Housing (Terraced, Flats/Apartments)

The surveys found that their responses to the following ranged from:

5. The area has a good bus service: Strongly Disagree & Agree
6. Car Parking is easy Around here: Agree
7. It is easy to find you way around here: Agree
8. The area is well maintained: Disagree

Pedestrian routes around the area are Pavements & Pathways. Neither
surveys felt they were in Good Condition.


Graffiti: Common & Very Common
Groups of people hanging around: Uncommon
Vandalism: Common & Uncommon


Graffiti: Unsafe
Advertising Billboards: Safe & No Opinion
Groups of people hanging around: Unsafe & No Opinion
Vandalism: Unsafe
Unoccupied/derelict buildings: Very Unsafe & Unsafe

48

Is the area well lit: Poorly lit, resulting in Dark Areas between Lights
and Dim, even immediately below some lights. The light colour is
Amber/Yellow, none of them appear to be obstructed and the lighting does
not make the surveyor feel safer overall. Some of the businesses could
improve the lighting on the frontage of their premises.

Visibility & Vision through the site is generally good, with people
visible at over 20 metres and their faces visible between 11-20 metres,
even at night. However, there are several places where people can hide,
such as the recessed entrances to flats and shops. Generally a person can
see well along their route, but clearer/improved paving would assist a
person, as would improved signage for directions around the location.

the route and may contribute to making someone feel Very Unsafe or
Unsafe:

Walls & Fences, Parked Vehicles, Garages/Sheds, Unoccupied/derelict
buildings and recessed doorways/porches.

Predicting a person’s route through this location could not be done
Easily. An attacker can disappear Very Easily into the surrounding area.
The close proximity of houses to the site contributes to an overall
feeling of Safety.

The area was considered to be Busy and Very Busy during the surveying
times and generally contributed to the surveyor feeling Very Safe &
Unsafe. Pedestrians, Traffic and People in Buildings were never
considered to be more than 11-15 metres away, and in some cases as close
as 5 metres from the surveyor.

During the evening the surveyors recorded that the only places that a
person could go to if they needed help were the fast food outlets, a
newsagents and houses located close by. None of the surveyors knew if
there was a working telephone close by.
49

The surveyors noted that there are no visible CCTV cameras covering the
area and no signs informing people of their use. No Security or Police
Patrols were seen by the surveyors while it was being carried out.
Businesses operating late can contribute to an overall feeling of Safety
at night, although the business types here (Fast Food outlets) may
attract people/activities that contribute to an overall feeling of
feeling Unsafe. During the day the area is Very Busy and contributes to
an overall feeling of Very Safe. Clearer signage could be erected,
providing people with directions around the location. Removal of graffiti
and some shop frontages should be improved.

Location 3: Corner of Edenmore Park/Concorde Public House


06/03/08 at 8.00pm


The area falls into the Shopping Area & Other (mixed) categories, being a
Public House in close proximity to a local Girls Primary School (Ste
Eithnes), with Apartments located over the Public House.

The survey found that their responses to the following ranged from:

1. The area has a good bus service: Don’t Know/No Opinion

Pedestrian routes around the area are Pavements and they were in Good
Condition.

50

Graffiti: Uncommon
Advertising Billboards: Don’t Know/No Opinion
Groups of people hanging around: Common (outside Pub smoking area)
Vandalism: Uncommon


Graffiti: Unsafe
Advertising Billboards: No Opinion
Groups of people hanging around: Unsafe
Vandalism: Unsafe

Is the area well lit: Adequately lit, resulting in Dark Areas between
Lights. The light colour is White, none of them appear to be obstructed
and the lighting makes the surveyor feel safer overall.

Visibility & Vision around the location is generally good, with people
visible at 16-20 metres and their faces visible between 5-10 metres, even
at night. However, there are several places where people can hide, such
as the gated area around the school and the alleyway between the Public
House and Lidos Takeaway. Lighting in this area would make it easier to
see your route. Generally a person can see well along their route but
improved signage for directions around the location would help.

the route and may contribute to making someone feel Unsafe:

Parked Vehicles and Alleyways.

Predicting a person’s route through this location could be done Very
Easily. An attacker could disappear Very Easily into the surrounding
area.
51

The area was considered to be Busy during the surveying time and
generally contributed to the surveyor feeling Safe. Pedestrians, Traffic
and People in Buildings were never considered to be more than 10 metres
away, and in some cases as close as 5 metres from the surveyor
(pedestrians and people in buildings).

During the evening the surveyor recorded that the only places that a
person could go to if they needed help were the fast food outlets and
Concorde Public House. The surveyor recorded that there was a Public
Telephone located in the Concorde Pub and that it was coin operated. The
surveyor did not know whether it was in working order.

The surveyors noted that there was CCTV cameras monitoring the Concorde
entrance. A Police Patrol vehicle passed during the survey.

The lighting around the Concorde and the presence of a late-night take-
away contributed to an overall feeling of being Safe. The surveyor noted
that some lighting in the alleyway between the Concorde and Lidos should
contribute to an overall feeling of being Safer.

Location 4: Corner of Edenmore Avenue/Edenmore Tool Hire


06/03/08 at 8.30pm


The area falls into the Shopping Area & Other (mixed) categories, with
Housing being located in close proximity.

The surveyor found that the response to the following ranged from:

52

5. The area has a good bus service: Disagree

Pedestrian routes around the area are Pavements and Pathways that are not
Well Maintained.


Graffiti: Common
Groups of people hanging around: Common
Vandalism: Uncommon


Graffiti: No Opinion
Advertising Billboards: Safe
Groups of people hanging around: Unsafe
Vandalism: Unsafe

Is the area well lit: Poorly lit, resulting in Dark Areas between Lights
and Dim even below lights. Businesses are poorly lit. The light colour is
White, none of them appear to be obstructed and the lighting does not
make the surveyor feel safer overall.

Visibility & Vision around the location is generally good, with people
visible at over 20 metres and their faces visible between 16-20 metres.
However, there are several places where people can hide, such as recessed
entrances and hidden corners of the shops. Improved lighting and improved
pavement markings, with clearer signage for directions would contribute
to feeling Safer. A person can see adequately along their route.
53

the route and may contribute to making someone feel Very Unsafe or
Unsafe:

Parked Vehicles, Unoccupied/derelict buildings and recessed
entrances/porches.

Predicting a person’s route through this location could be done Very
Easily. An attacker could disappear Very Easily into the surrounding
area.

The area was considered to be Busy during the surveying time and
generally contributed to the surveyor feeling Safe. Pedestrians, Traffic
and People in Buildings were never considered to be more than 10 metres
away.

During the evening the surveyor recorded that the only places that a
person could go to if they needed help were the fast food outlets, a
newsagents and Houses. The surveyor recorded that they didn’t know if a
Public Telephone was located nearby.

The surveyors noted that there was no CCTV cameras monitoring the
location and no Security/Police Patrols passed during the surveying.

Some features that can contribute to an overall feeling of Safety are the
businesses open late (though the nature of these businesses could create
feelings of being Unsafe) and the proximity of the Houses. The surveyor
recommended that Improved Lighting, Improved Appearance and Clearer
Signage could contribute to make the location feel safer. There are large
areas of underused hard surfaces.

54

Further Recommendations

The recommendations made under the headings above would be those
considered most urgent in addressing a range of issues identified in the
assessment. However, there are a range of other changes that can be
implemented that make a contribution to the overall attempts at reducing
crime, tackling anti-social behaviour and creating places that people
want to spend time shopping, living and socialising in. These changes are
generally based on research, experience and critical evaluations of what
does and does not work. It is important to recognise the unique
challenges that specific locations and types of space present, but it is
also important to recognise that careful consideration and application of
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design8 tools are available and
ready to be used. Below, are some further general recommendations that
can also be employed.

Target Hardening: improving building security standards. Obstacles such
as locks should be installed to deter potential burglars and vandals.
Doors, windows, stairwells and hallways should be made more secure and
the quality of exterior doors, door frames, hinges and locks must be
high. Exterior lighting, alarm systems and key controls all add to
security around a building. Advice should be taken from the Gardai on
current recommendations for Target Hardening.

Ensure Residents and Commercial businesses leases reflect
responsibilities, rights and maintenance for individual and private
space.

Communal facilities and spaces for residents should communicate to people
that they are not for general Public use.

Transitional filters: One method of marking out territory is to provide a
series of transitional filters for people moving from public to private
8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_prevention_through_environmental_design

55

spaces. This lets people know that areas they should not be in begin well
before they enter an area.

Minimise the number of entries into a site, particularly if it is
intended for residents use only. Build unique elements into shared
residential areas, such as seating, and avoid large paved areas. Ensure
residents doors are clearly numbered and have letterboxes if there are
not lobby/hallway letterboxes. Install fish-eyes/peep holes on all
residents’ entrance doors.

Carry out resident and business security awareness raising initiatives.
These can be done once or twice a year and provide opportunities for new
information about crime and anti-social behaviour to be shared. These
should be ideally organised with police involvement. Encourage residents
and business to develop self-help approaches to managing their space,
increasing a sense ownership and responsibility. Where possible provide
resources that assist in this process. Co-ordinate and consult with
residents and businesses’ about any new initiatives that are planned that
may impact upon them. Also provide specific crime prevention training for
facilities managers.

Contact police and liaise with them around issues such as patrol times.
Residents and businesses will be best placed to let the police know what
times are particularly problematic. The Community Policing Team in the
Gardai offer the most appropriate contact point.

56

Conclusion

The relationship between the design of the built environment and
criminal/anti-social behaviour is complex. The two main influences on
criminal and anti-social behaviour are the nature of the physical
environment and the nature of the social environment. Motivators for
criminal and anti-social behaviour largely fall into the category of
‘social motivation’ or ‘situational motivation’. Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design attempts to counter many of the ‘situational
motivators’ by removing opportunities and deterring people. However, this
approach also needs to be developed in tandem with initiatives that
address wider social conditions influencing crime and anti-social
behaviour. Working in partnership with other agencies such as Probation
Services, Police and Local Authorities provides opportunities for
interventions for tackling more destructive activities at an individual
and community level. The formation by the local Community Development
Project of a Community Safety Group for the Edenmore area provides an
immediate structure to engage with and gather support from other
agencies.

Community interaction is also a key factor in addressing some of the
issues identified in this assessment. The way in which community members
interact with each other and the extent to which they exercise control
over their environment, related to defensible space and territoriality,
and to promoting a sense of ownership by the community all play
significant roles.

The Edenmore Shopping Centre offers many challenges in relation to
tackling the crime and anti-social behaviour taking place. During this
assessment surveyors were aware of the open and large scale drug dealing
that is taking place at various locations. Combined with drug and alcohol
abuse, particularly at weekends, this makes for a particularly
problematic combination. Many of the measures and recommendations

57

Edenmore Community Safety Assessment Shopping Centre Pdf

Edenmore Community Safety Assessment Shopping Centre Pdf

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