Police facilities need to provide distinct parking for two separate groups - the general public on one hand, and law enforcement on the other. Parking for the public requires openness to create a welcoming and inviting approach to the facility. By contrast, parking for law enforcement and support...

Evidence is a key aspect of the criminal justice system, and how that evidence is handled can make or break a case. A secure and well-functioning evidence storage room, also called a property room, is critically important to the prosecution and defense of crimes. Continuing my series on best design...

When we think of landscaping around a courthouse, or any building for that matter, we usually consider only the aesthetic value the landscaping provides. After all, greenery can really enhance the look of a building, and who wants a bare building rising from an expanse of dirt or concrete? However,...

The 2020-21 TV season has started, and it’s interesting to see to how TV dramas are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in their fictional worlds. From my standpoint as a court design consultant, I’m especially interested in the TV shows that involve courtroom scenes, and what COVID protocols those...

CPTED (pronounced “sep-ted”) stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. It was developed in the 1970s from an earlier 1960s' concept for urban planning and renewal known as "defensible space." Since then, it has become more widely adopted by planners, architects, and security...