About

Duane White served 20 years in the United States Air Force as a graphic illustrator, multimedia developer, and Adult Learning Manager before retiring in 2017. After retirement, Duane served as Chair of the non-profit organization Northend Coalition of Neighborhoods (NCON), where he advocated for the community's quality of life issues in coordination with City leadership, residents, and private business.

In 2023, Duane became the Keep West Palm Beach Beautiful Coordinator. Duane spearheaded the Clean Street Task Force initiative, which included proactively working with West Palm Beach police, Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement, Sanitation services, and residents.  These efforts led Keep West Palm Beach Beautiful to receive the 2024 Innovation Award from Keep America Beautiful. 

Duane realized that a pattern emerged within the safe and walkable neighborhoods. Cared-for neighborhoods encourage residents to walk and be active in their community, which reduces the opportunity for a criminal to strike. The perception that an area is cared for sets the desired behaviors' expectations.

What if all neighborhoods applied CPTED principles in the design of their community... How much crime could be reduced?

CPTED Principles 

• Natural Surveillance:  This principle operates on the idea that "eyes on the street" are the best deterrent. By designing an environment to maximize visibility, you increase the perceived risk for a potential criminal. When offenders feel they might be watched, they're less likely to commit a crime. This is why well-cared-for neighborhoods, as noted in the prompt's context, are safer; the presence of active, walking residents provides a constant layer of surveillance. 
• Natural Access: Can be achieved by using fences, gates, landscaping, or other physical barriers. The goal is to control who enters and exits an area and direct them through specific, well-defined points, making it more difficult for potential criminals to access or lurk unnoticed. 
• Territorial Reinforcement: Creates a clear sense of ownership and a feeling that someone is responsible for the space. When residents feel ownership over their immediate environment, they're more likely to notice and report unusual activity. This can be achieved through both real and symbolic barriers, such as porches, low fences, or landscaping that delineates private from public space. When an area's purpose and ownership are clearly defined, it becomes a "safe zone," and intruders are more easily recognized. 
• Maintenance: A well-maintained and clean environment gives the impression that it is cared for and monitored. An area that appears neglected—with graffiti, broken windows, or overgrown lots—can signal to criminals that no one is watching or cares, making it a more attractive target. This principle is closely related to the "broken windows" theory, which suggests that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder. Keeping an area clean and in good repair can signal a sense of community pride and discourage criminal activity.