Chapter 5 – Security Lighting

In this chapter, the concept of lighting as it relates to crime and crime prevention is discussed. The two major purposes of lighting, to create a psychological deterrent to intrusion and to aid in detection, are put to the test involving natural and constructed light. From a business perspective, lighting can be justified because it improves sales by making a business and merchandise more attractive, promotes safety and prevents lawsuits, improves employee morale and productivity, and enhances the value of real estate. From a security perspective, two major purposes of lighting are to create a psychological deterrent to intrusion and to enable detection. Good lighting is considered such an effective crime control method that the law, in many locales, requires buildings to maintain adequate lighting.