How to protect your property from intruders
How to protect your property from intruders
In the modern days we live in, we constantly hear about residents around the world being victims of all sorts of crimes. The crimes range from burglary, robbery, grand theft, vandalism, etc. For the purposes of this post, I want to focus the spotlight on burglary. Many people hear about one of their neighbor’s houses or maybe a local business being broken into. I want to provide you with information on how to protect your house/apartment that will give you peace of mind, that you can also pass on to your family and friends.
What is burglary?
Burglary is the entry into any four-sided structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft. This definition may differ from state to state, but the meat and potatoes will essentially be the same. If a criminal enters a house whether it’s by force or an unlocked door, and the intent to commit theft or a felony can be proven, it will be burglary.
The primary element that distinguishes burglary from other crimes is the specific intent to commit a theft or felony once inside the premises. The intent could involve stealing valuable items, causing damage, or engaging in other criminal activities, such as vandalism or assault.
Often people use the word “robbed” when referring to a burglary, which is incorrect. “They broke into my house and robbed me!”. Robbery is a totally different crime which I won’t get much into today.
Burglars generally have common similarities. An experienced burglar can enter a property and find valuable items, and flee the scene in approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds. With that being said, the most important way to stop a burglar is to deter/prevent the burglars from targeting your house.
4 steps to take to protect your property that anyone could do
Lock your doors and windows
This should go without saying right? Well not exactly. Many residents become very complacent in their neighborhoods. They will go for a walk, run errands, or simply go about their life and not care to ever think of locking the doors/windows. I can’t tell you how many times I have spoken to victims who told me their house was broken into.
I would ask them were there any indicators of forced entry, such as: pry marks, broken glass, smashed doors, etc.) And they usually reply “no.” I would ask them “Did you lock your doors and windows?” And it’s usually “Well we never really lock that door/window.”
You have to realize, the burglar is looking for the quickest and most efficient way to commit the crime and leave the scene.
Importance of locked windows
Most burglars seek quick and easy opportunities, and locked windows act as a deterrent that can discourage them from attempting a break-in. By taking this simple step, you are actively reducing the likelihood of becoming a target for criminal activity.
When combined with other security measures such as door locks and alarm systems, locked windows create multiple layers of protection against unauthorized access. This comprehensive approach significantly reduces the chances of a successful break-in, providing you and your family with a greater sense of safety and peace of mind.
People think criminals enter properties primarily through the front or back doors most of the time. But it’s actually windows due to it being much easier. Windows are often damaged, left unlocked, or simply left open.
Locking your windows creates a physical barrier that makes it more challenging for intruders to gain access to your home. It acts as a first line of defense, preventing unwanted individuals from entering your property. Properly functioning window locks make it difficult for intruders to force open the windows.
Importance of locked doors
Opportunistic crimes, such as home invasions or random acts of theft, can occur when doors are left unlocked. A locked door acts as a physical deterrent, making it more difficult for criminals to enter your home. By taking the simple step of locking your doors, you reduce the likelihood of falling victim to these crimes and protect your property.
A locked door buys valuable time in the event of a security breach. It provides a window of opportunity for you and your family to react, call for help, or find a safe place to hide. The additional time gained through locked doors can make a significant difference in countering a potential break-in or allowing authorities to arrive before the situation escalates.
Keep a light on inside
Did you know that burglars don’t want to have confrontations? They want to break into a location that has no one inside so it’s efficient. If a burglar is debating on breaking into your house and they see a light on inside, they will most likely move on to a different target. Now, of course, this is a preventive measure when you are not home.
But what if you are sleeping and it happens? The best thing for you to do is go to a room where you can lock the door and call 911. Another option is to always have some sort of weapon near your bed that is readily available in case you needed something to defend yourself.
Get a spotlight/security camera
From my experience, the residents that have both a spotlight and security camera are the least likely to be victims of residential crimes. Criminals thrive on moving in the darkness. When a spotlight is triggered and the surveillance camera begins to record, 8 times out of 10 they’re gonna flee. However, It is crucially important on the placement of your cameras and the quality of the cameras. I will make a separate article about the best cameras I recommend to people.
Should I get a membership with a surveillance company?
My answer to that is it depends. A surveillance company sounds great on paper, but in practicality, it is often a waste of money.
Surveillance companies are typically a deterrent. Meaning that seeing a sign in front of the house saying “This house is protected by…” can be intimidating. However, criminals often don’t care about that anymore.
There are good things a surveillance company can offer. A surveillance company offers round-the-clock monitoring services, providing constant surveillance of your property. This means that any suspicious activity or security breach will detected and addressed. With dedicated security personnel actively monitoring your property, there is a possibility of reducing the risk of damage, theft, or harm.
In the unfortunate event of a security incident, having a surveillance company monitoring your property ensures the availability of important evidence. Surveillance footage can play a vital role in identifying perpetrators, gathering evidence for investigations, and supporting insurance claims. The monitoring provided by a surveillance company ensures that all critical events are captured and recorded, offering valuable documentation for legal and security
Personal security Cameras
Buying your own security cameras may be a better option than investing in a surveillance company. A security camera can be purchased generally for an affordable price. Most security cameras allow you to download their mobile application.
This allows you to have immediate personal access to any unusual activity. There is no delay in receiving your notifications so you could call 911 immediately.
Know your surroundings and be aware
When you are arriving home, take a quick glance around at your surroundings. Do you see any unrecognized vehicles? Do you see anyone hanging around the area that you don’t recognize? It’s important to be mindful of unusual activity.
The reason why this tactic is important is that often times when a burglary happens, the suspects have gathered information on your schedule prior to them committing the crime. This tactic also applies to when you are leaving for work in the morning. Pay attention to suspicious vehicles. Many burglaries happen in the morning when everyone in the household is at work/school.
For those on social media, be careful what you post online such as your location and the expensive personal items you have. People pay attention to that. I’ve spoken to a woman who had several expensive designer brands purses in her house. At about 5:00 AM right after she left for work, her house got broken into. The suspects went straight for the room with the purses inside of it. Over $100,000 worth of designer purses were stolen. It told me that in some way or another, she flashes her personal items for people to see.
Home security tips
Securing your garage door
Ensure when you are leaving your property for the day or coming home for the night, to always close your garage mechanical door. Whether your garage is attached to your residence or detached, make sure it’s closed and locked.
Those who have detached garages often leave their garage open more. Do not get into that habit, especially if you have valuables in your garage.
If you have an attached garage, make sure to lock the door that leads from the garage and into your house. Do not leave it unlocked because the garage mechanical door is locked. Criminals often have devices that can replicate your garage door opener and open your garage.
Lastly, do not put your address on your garage door opener. This is important just in case you ever misplace your garage door opener. You do not want someone to find it and know where you live.
Securing your key fob
If you have a key fob for your car, be sure to keep that away from doors and windows. Criminals are able to replicate the signal and steal your vehicle without ever having the key fob.
Conclusion
If you are the victim of a burglary, be sure to not confront the intruder unless you know its safe to do so. Be very careful in engaging in a physical altercation with the suspect. You do not know if the suspect has a weapon. Also, be sure to know if your state has a “stand your ground” law.
The stand your ground law ensures homeowners that they can protect their homes at all costs if an intruder enters their homes unlawfully.
It’s important to take preventive measures to ensure your property is protected from intruders. You do not want to become a victim of burglary. It can cause shame, guilt, humiliation, and anger. We hope we provided informative information on how to protect your family, your possessions, and your property.