The Sentinel's Eye – Mastering Natural Surveillance Through Military and Athletic Lens
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
Written by Jenny Cameron, Principal Business Analyst
Jenny Cameron is a principal business analyst who frequently contributes to articles that are the result of her investigative research and critical analysis of topics to explore and gain coherence.
Natural surveillance is the cornerstone of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a principle dedicated to shaping the physical environment to influence human behaviour and reduce criminal opportunity. At its core, it is the simple yet powerful concept of maximising visibility. By ensuring that spaces are designed to be open, well-lit, and free of obstructive features, we create an environment where potential offenders feel exposed and vulnerable to observation, while legitimate users feel safe and secure. This is not a novel tactic of modern urban planning, it is a timeless strategy of observation, deeply ingrained in the practices of security, military reconnaissance, and even competitive sport.
My understanding of sight lines was first forged not in a classroom, but in the field as a military reconnaissance patrolman. Our mission was to see without being seen, to gather critical intelligence while using the environment for maximum concealment. We meticulously evaluated "cover" (protection from fire) and "concealment" (protection from observation), understanding that a shadowed alcove or dense brush could hide us from an enemy's view. This expertise directly translates to CPTED, but in reverse. Now, I audit environments to eliminate the very concealment I once sought. I identify the overgrown hedges, the poorly placed walls, and the unlit alcoves that provide cover for illicit activity, and I recommend strategies to remove them. The goal is to deny offenders the concealment they need to operate, forcing them into the open where natural surveillance can take effect.
This principle of reading an environment and predicting movement was further honed on the gridiron as a linebacker for the Carlton Crusaders and Calgary Cowboys. From my position, the entire offensive backfield was a dynamic CPTED audit in motion. My success depended on my ability to maintain clear sight lines, reading the subtle shifts of the quarterback’s shoulders, the alignment of the halfbacks, and the initial step of a tailback. A guard pulling, a receiver cutting inside, these were all clues predicting a future action. A blind spot, created by a misaligned lineman, was a vulnerability to be exploited, much like a blind corner in a parking lot is exploited by an offender.
In CPTED, we apply this same proactive vigilance to the built environment. We design spaces so that residents, employees, and pedestrians become the linebackers of their own community, able to easily observe activities and intuitively detect something that is "off" or out of place. This is achieved through the strategic placement of windows, mindful landscaping that maintains visibility, and consistent, glare-free lighting that eliminates shadows of concealment.
Ultimately, effective natural surveillance is about creating a seamless flow of observation. It empowers the legitimate user and disempowers the offender. It leverages the innate human tendency to watch our surroundings, transforming every citizen into a sentinel. By applying the strategic sight lines of a linebacker and the environmental awareness of a reconnaissance patrolman, we can design not just spaces, but safer, more resilient communities.
Read more on this subject: The Integrated Shield: Why Smart Cities Must Blend Physical and Digital Security.
Jack Cameron served as a Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman with the PPCLI and North Saskatchewan Regiment (1987-1989) before a 20-year police career specializing in CPTED, digital forensics, and high-risk offender management. His firm, Jack Cameron Safedesign Strategies, delivers ISO 31000 aligned audits for UK critical infrastructure clients.
Read more from Jenny Cameron
Jenny Cameron, Principal Business Analyst
Jenny Cameron is a principal business analyst and consultant. Ready to help you with your projects. Providing on-site or remote consultancy as a service, services range from business planning and project implementation, continuous operations and improvements in business as usual, and post-project evaluation.
