Applying CPTED to the Perimeter: Rethinking Boundaries in a Changing Security Landscape
This four-person panel explores how crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) applies to perimeter security from a public safety perspective. The session will begin with a brief overview of CPTED’s four core principles, providing a foundation for attendees who may be new to the approach.
Perimeters have traditionally been defined by physical barriers such as fencing, bollards, and controlled access points. While these elements remain important, today’s environments increasingly include shared public-private spaces, fan zones and transitional areas often referred to as “Zone X,” where boundaries are less defined.
The discussion will focus on the what, why, and benefits of applying CPTED principles to these evolving environments, along with real-world examples of how they are used in daily operations as well as permanent and semi-permanent applications. Panelists will highlight how CPTED supports more effective, adaptable and user-informed perimeter strategies across a range of settings.
Speakers
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Gregg PingitoreDetective, Threat Reduction and Infrastructure Protection, Counterterrorism Division
New York City Police DepartmentDetective Gregg Pingitore is an 18-year veteran of the New York City Police Department and has been assigned since 2014 to the Counterterrorism Division’s Threat Reduction & Infrastructure Protection Section. He specializes in conducting risk and vulnerability assessments and developing comprehensive protective strategies for critical infrastructure throughout New York City.
In his current role, Pingitore collaborates closely with city agencies, developers, architects and engineers to integrate security measures into major construction and capital projects. He also supports the planning and execution of security operations for large-scale events and high-profile sites.
Pingitore’s experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including commercial high-rise buildings, government facilities, health care institutions and public venues. He has contributed to the security planning and design of some of New York City’s most significant projects, including the World Trade Center campus, the United Nations Capital Master Plan, Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and the New York City Football Club stadium.
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Herb UbbensPresident
Paratus Consultant GroupHerb Ubbens has spent the last 30 years in security, safety, emergency preparedness and risk management developing and leading teams in the protection of critical infrastructure. He holds certifications in security management (CPP) and physical security (PSP) is a Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (FCP) and serves as an assessor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Best Practices for Anti-terrorism Security (BPATS).
Ubbens has held positions as a former director of security and life safety, chief security officer, risk manager and now president of Paratus Consultants Group, LLC. He serves as the commercial facilities sector chief for InfraGard of Eastern North Carolina, chair for the Commercial Real Estate Community of ASIS International, chair of the Security Industry Association Perimeter Security Subcommittee’s Temporary Barrier Working Group and a member of the Physical Security Working group for the New York City Police Department’s SHIELD.
A CPTED practitioner for more that 25 years, Ubbens incorporates CPTED principles as part of his overall security thought process and designs.
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Melissa DominguezFounder
Dominguez Urban StrategiesMelissa Dominguez is the founder of Dominguez Urban Strategies, a consultancy advancing safety-driven urban design through crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). She works at the intersection of landscape architecture, public safety and development, helping cities and developers move from reactive security measures to proactive environmental strategy.
Dominguez’s firm partners with designers, public safety professionals, municipal leaders, and property owners to reduce crime risk, strengthen community trust and protect long-term asset value. Her work is grounded in the belief that safety is infrastructure, and that well-designed environments are essential to resilient, thriving communities.
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Joelle HushenFounder and President
National Institute of Crime PreventionJoelle Hushen is the founder and president of the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP) and co-founder of the U.S. CPTED Association (USCA), where she supports the advancement of crime prevention through environmental design through training, certification and professional collaboration. Her work focuses on how environments influence human behavior, safety and well-being.
Before entering the CPTED field, Hushen spent a decade as a scientific research manager at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, leading NASA- and National Institutes of Health-funded research in biotechnology and neuroregenerative therapies. That experience continues to shape her systems-based, evidence-informed approach to the built environment.
For more than two decades, Hushen has worked with professionals across public safety, planning, architecture, security and community development to apply CPTED principles in a wide range of settings. Through NICP’s CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) and national training programs, she has supported thousands of practitioners in understanding the relationship between design, behavior and safety.
Hushen’s work emphasizes practical application of CPTED principles while reinforcing the importance of collaboration across disciplines to create safer, more resilient communities.
