Designing a Safe Covington - Covington Bollard Design Guide

by City of Covington Police Department and Community Development

Damage from automobiles, both from accidents and intentional crimes, is something that any business near a road or parking lot must stay aware of. In our January email on the CTPED principle of territorial reinforcement, we recommended the use of bollards in front of storefronts to prevent damage and safety hazards for visitors.
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There is clear evidence that bollards are effective, including in Covington. For example, a local business experienced three automobile-related burglaries in 2022, prompting them to install bollards outside their storefront. Since this installation, the number of car-related burglaries has reduced to zero.

Bollards are often brightly colored or constructed of materials that can be unsightly and unwelcoming. By choosing functional bollards that are also visually appealing, you not only protect your business, but also convey that it is well-maintained and cared for. To this end, we developed the Covington Bollard Design Guide, which gives recommendations and examples of bollards that are both effective and visually attractive.

Here are some specific suggestions and examples from the Bollard Design Guide:

• Consider selecting bollards that have a secondary purpose. Some examples include bollards that double as lighting sources, planters, and visitor seating.
• The color of Bollards should blend in with the surrounding environment. For example, if you are placing bollards on a concrete surface, consider a bollard material that matches the color of that existing concrete.
  • If you believe a bright color is needed to provide enhanced visibility of the bollards, we recommend using one or two strips of such a color. 
• Choose a bollard shape (thin, tall, modern, traditional, etc.) and material (metal, concrete, wood, etc.) that match the architectural style of the building they are protecting.
• Review the full Bollard Design Guide on our CPTED website for more suggestions and examples.

Images courtesy of the City of Covington

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​What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)?

Backed by a long history of research and endorsed by the Covington Police Department, CPTED provides strategies that businesses and residents can take to help make their communities safer. If you would like to learn more, visit our Designing a Safe Covington website.

We are always looking for examples of CPTED success in Covington! If you or someone you know has successfully deterred crime on your property through natural access control or other CPTED strategies, please feel free to share those with us at [email protected].
 
Thank you,
City of Covington Police Department & Community Development