When it comes to privacy at the home, many Americans aim for seclusion in their landscaping. Tall solid fences and walls of fauna create that sense of privacy so many hold dear.

One of the biggest lessons Crime Prevention Team Officer Jon Kiehn with the SPD Southwest Precinct drives home time and time again is while privacy keeps others from keeping an eye on you, it also creates a safe haven for burglars once they enter your property.

“Most people set up their backyard because they want to feel secluded but the bad guy wants that feeling as well, so once he gets through he can pretty much do what he wants and not feel uncomfortable doing so,” Officer Kiehn said while giving blockwatch captains and interested West Seattleites a home tour on May 24. Kiehn is trained in CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) and shared his knowledge on the tour set up by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network.

For a review of CPTED principles from a blockwatch meeting in March, please check out the Herald story West Seattle Blockwatch Captains learn how to use landscaping to deter crime.

Please click the picture above for a slideshow tour of Officer Kiehn’s presentation on making our homes safer through landscaping and house design.

“West Seattle is primarily property crimes. They want your stuff but they don’t necessarily want to contact anyone to get it,” Officer Kiehn said. “If we can make them think they are going to be contacted then they are going to pass your house off.”

As a side note, Blockwatch Captain Deb Greer said Blockwatch Captain Appreciation Day is coming up on June 28. Location is yet to be determined.