Springdale police think they've designed a way to reduce crime.

For three years, specially trained officers have been poring over architectural plans, checking out sight lines and walking fence lines. Their efforts are part of a plan to reduce crime by recommending crime-fighting design aspects for businesses, apartment complexes and homes.

"Sometimes it's very simple, like keeping hedges to a certain height or choosing a fence you can see through instead of a solid wood one," said Sgt. Billy Turnbough, one of three officers certified in the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design program. "Other things include physical building security and placement and design of sidewalks or parking lots."

An experienced police eye helps planners, who don't always ...