Bulletproof public design in L.A.

But some area planners cautioned that although "defensive architecture" is sometimes necessary, it is not the ultimate solution to urban problems and should be subtle in its design.

"I don't think it's part of our obligation to go out there and design fortresses, but you do have to take some steps," said Frank Villalobos, president of Barrio Planners, which develops community projects throughout Los Angeles.

I have a hard time getting hopeful about this. Assuming you build a fortress apartment building to protect the residents, then you create a problem for emergency services to enter. Surrounding a park with a berm is a countermeasure to a technique (drive by shootings) but it is quickly defeated by people who are willing to get out of their cars, or to start shooting at the points of access. Lights and cameras are good tools for improving the ability of law enforcement to catch criminals after the fact, and they probably provide some deterrent value to potential criminals.

(h/t: Barking Moonbat