question: why do police offices have little fences?
comment: In a setting where the public interacts with security, half doors or swinging doors can be used to cut down on wandering. You’ll see them in pawn shops, DMV, pharmacies, Jewelry stores, doctor offices, etc, etc. Crazy people wander around. Normal people wander around. Eventually they wander into places that they’re not welcome. They’ll go behind your desk, they’ll want to look at your computer screen etc. The half door prevents wandering, let’s people know that they have to stay on their side.
passages: [T]he evidence that the curtilage that defines the property that was in question here is enclosed in the fencing around the home and taxidermist building, even if the fence may not be complete on the north, and perhaps east sides of the property. It is true in a narrow definition of the term perimeter that means all the way around. But it seems to me it isn't necessary that the fence be without any kind of breech [sic] in order for the curtilage to be defined for the purpose that we are talking about here. I think we have to be practical about the thing, and the areas where the fence may not be complete around his property is really not an area that is in question in connection with the investigation that was made by these officers.
   Due to the high levels of crime in South Africa, it is common for residential houses to have perimeter defences. The City of Johannesburg promotes the use of palisade fencing rather than opaque, usually brick, walls as criminals cannot hide as easily behind the fence. In the City of Johannesburg manual on safety, one can read about best practices and maintenance of palisade fencing, such as not growing vegetation in front of palisades as this allows criminals to make an unseen breach.
  
  Types of security electric fences include:
   Due to the high levels of crime in South Africa, it is common for residential houses to have perimeter defences. The City of Johannesburg promotes the use of palisade fencing over opaque, usually brick, walls as criminals cannot hide as easily behind the fence. In the City of Johannesburg manual on safety one can read about best practices and maintenance of palisade fencing, such as not growing vegetation in front of palisades as this allows criminals to make an unseen breach.
  
  Section::::History.
   Most fences worked within their own town or village. For example, in some satellite areas of the capital, military troops lived within or close to the commoner population and they had the opportunity to hold illegal trades with commoners.
   There are a number of different types of fences. One way of categorizing fences is by the type of good in which they trade, such as jewels, power tools, or electronics. Another way of categorizing fences is by their level of involvement in buying and selling stolen goods; for some, fencing is an occasional "sideline" activity, while it is an economic mainstay for others. At the lowest level, a hustler or drug dealer may occasionally accept stolen goods. At the highest level would be a fence whose main criminal income comes from buying and selling stolen items. At the broadest level, two tiers of fences can be distinguished. The lower level of fences are those who directly buy stolen goods from thieves and burglars. At a higher level are the "master fences", who do not deal with street-level thieves, but only with other fences.
   The synergy between receiving, theft and corruption, as well as official activities such as thief-taking or pawnbroking was a huge dynamic bond where each element enhanced the others in a vicious circle.
   BULLET::::- Use substantial, high, closed fencing (for example, masonry) between a backyard and a public alley instead of a wall which blocks the view from all angles.
  
  Natural access control is used to complement mechanical and operational access control measures, such as target hardening.
  
  Section::::Strategies for the built environment.:Natural territorial reinforcement.
  
  Territorial reinforcement promotes social control through increased definition of space and improved proprietary concern.
   Perimeter fence
  
  Demarcation of a perimeter, when the protection of assets, personnel or buildings is required, is normally effected by the building of a perimeter fence system. The level of protection offered varies according to the threat level to the perimeter. Different types of perimeter fencing include:
  
  BULLET::::- Timber fencing
  
  BULLET::::- Palisade fencing
  
  BULLET::::- Welded wire mesh fence fencing
  
  BULLET::::- Chain-link fencing
  
  BULLET::::- Rolled mesh fencing
  
  BULLET::::- Metal railings
   An environment designed to clearly delineate private space does two things. First, it creates a sense of ownership. Owners have a vested interest and are more likely to challenge intruders or report them to the police. Second, the sense of owned space creates an environment where "strangers" or "intruders" stand out and are more easily identified. By using buildings, fences, pavement, signs, lighting and landscape to express ownership and define public, semi-public and private space, natural territorial reinforcement occurs. Additionally, these objectives can be achieved by assignment of space to designated users in previously unassigned locations.
   Natural access control limits the opportunity for crime by taking steps to clearly differentiate between public space and private space. By selectively placing entrances and exits, fencing, lighting and landscape to limit access or control flow, natural access control occurs.
  
  BULLET::::- Use a single, clearly identifiable, point of entry
  
  BULLET::::- Use structures to divert persons to reception areas
  
  BULLET::::- Incorporate maze entrances in public restrooms. This avoids the isolation that is produced by an anteroom or double door entry system
   Section::::History of receiving.:China.:Safe houses.
   Currently, a fence surrounds the White House, but it did not always exist. Though at various points since the time of Thomas Jefferson, various fences and gates were added to shape or constrain public access, greater public access to the White House grounds than was common in comparable European institutions was possible (with some restrictions) up until World War II. Since World War II, public access to the White House grounds has been increasingly restricted. During the mid-1990s, the fence was expanded by one block to move traffic farther from the White House to prevent damage from any car bomb. There are now plans to increase the fence's height and add sensors to it.
   In the UK, the first public body to admit using IMSI catchers was the Scottish Prison Service, though it is likely that the Metropolitan Police Service has been using IMSI catchers since 2011 or before.
  
  Section::::Functionalities.
  
  Section::::Functionalities.:Identifying an IMSI.
   Territorial enforcement looks at clearly outlining private spaces from semi-public and public areas. Strangers and intruders can be easily identified when there is a sense of ownership within a space. Long term use of a space and reinforcing natural surveillance and accesses control strategies create a sense of legitimate ownership within an area. Additionally, the personalization of a space through art, signage and screening clearly informs the public of ownership within an area. 
   Governments use perimeter security not only for the safety of their citizens, but to control the flow of commerce and immigration, as well as to protect vital infrastructure from vandals and terrorists. Property owners and organizations of all sizes use various man-made technology to achieve varying degrees of perimeter security.
  
  Section::::History.
   Invented in the mid-1800s, the chain link fence did not achieve major adoption until industrialized manufacturing began in the United States in 1898. Still in heavy use today, this relatively cost effective perimeter is popular due to its transparency, strength, storage, and ease of installation. From airports to school playgrounds, chain link fencing demand remains strong as a long-term perimeter solution. However, fences alone can be easily circumvented, which has led to well known incidences of airport perimeter security breaches, a man scaling the fence at the White House, etc.
   BULLET::::- Avoid chain link fencing and razor-wire fence topping, as it communicates the absence of a physical presence and a reduced risk of being detected.
  
  BULLET::::- Placing amenities such as seating or refreshments in common areas in a commercial or institutional setting helps to attract larger numbers of desired users.
  
  BULLET::::- Scheduling activities in common areas increases proper use, attracts more people and increases the perception that these areas are controlled.
  
  BULLET::::- Motion sensor lights at all entry points into the residence.
   Due to concerns over potential violence, many courthouses in American cities often have security checkpoints where all incoming persons are searched for weapons, normally through the use of an X-ray machine for all bags and a walk-through metal detector, much like those found at airports.
   BULLET::::- Stand alone: Stand-alone electric fences act as the sole perimeter barrier. They are also quite aesthetically pleasing if set up neatly. This type is normally only found as one of many levels of perimeter security around high security establishments, meaning that to touch it someone has had to break through at least one physical barrier before this. The stand-alone fence must be at least away from the nearest barrier.
  
  Section::::Uses.:Security.:Stun-lethal fence.
  
  A "stun-lethal" electric fence can be set to deliver a shock if touched once, and a fatal jolt if touched a second time. 
   BULLET::::- how easily high-security premises were penetrated simply by cutting a hole in the fence that went unnoticed for days;
  
  BULLET::::- consequences if the intruders had been terrorists instead of merely vandals;
  
  BULLET::::- whether security measures and enforcement in other sensitive, protected facilities were similarly slack;
  
  BULLET::::- random checks by journalists on other depots, bus interchanges and power plants also exposed some shortcomings.
  
  Section::::Security aftermath.
  
  Immediately after the incident, SMRT increased the number of security personnel and patrols, installed more cameras, added razor wires to perimeter fences, and engaged a security consultant to conduct a comprehensive audit of its systems.
   BULLET::::- Use low, thorny bushes beneath ground level windows. Use rambling or climbing thorny plants next to fences to discourage intrusion.
  
  BULLET::::- Eliminate design features that provide access to roofs or upper levels
  
  BULLET::::- In the front yard, use waist-level, picket-type fencing along residential property lines to control access, encourage surveillance.
  
  BULLET::::- Use a locking gate between front and backyards.
  
  BULLET::::- Use shoulder-level, open-type fencing along lateral residential property lines between side yards and extending to between back yards. They should be sufficiently unencumbered with landscaping to promote social interaction between neighbors.
   The prices fences pay thieves typically depend both on norms and on legitimate market rates for the items in question. Vulnerable sellers, such as drug addicts or casual thieves, may receive less than 20% of an item's value. Higher prices, sometimes as high as 50% of an item's value in a legal market, can be commanded by a professional thief, especially one who concentrates on valuable items. At the same time, fences will often take advantage of thieves by deceiving them about the value of an individual item and the relevant market conditions. For example, a fence may falsely tell a petty thief that the market for the type of good which the thief is selling is flooded with this type of merchandise, to justify paying out a lower price.
   Section::::Architecture.
  
  The architectural style employed by the stone building is classicism. It stands at two stories and is symmetrical to the fire department. The lower floor is rustic and the windows are decorated with castle stones. To the houses on both sides are adjacent stone fences. To the right of the building in the fence there are gates, provided with stone foundations, for passage to the yard.
   Pawnbrokers have often been associated with fencing, though in many jurisdictions, government identification must be shown in order to pawn an item and police regularly check pawnshops for stolen goods and repossess any stolen items. While pawnbrokers do not like this characterization of their business, police efforts have indicated that some pawnbrokers are involved in fencing.
  
  Section::::See also.
  
  BULLET::::- Chop shop
  
  BULLET::::- Handling stolen goods
  
  BULLET::::- Sting operation
  
  Section::::Further reading.
  
  BULLET::::- Steffensmeier, Darrell J. "The Fence: In the Shadow of Two Worlds". Rowman & Littlefield, 1986.
   Today, the Fence Viewer advises lot owners prior to constructing a fence. The height of the fence can be no higher than six feet except near intersections. Lot owners at intersections cannot erect a fence nor shrubbery closer than five feet to allow good visibility. A fence or shrub near there must be no higher than three feet.
  