Lowering Your Risk Of Being A Crime Victim - Part One
A break-in is traumatic. It is an invasion of your space, privacy, security, and sense of safety. You may feel as though some of the steps below are a bit extreme or even paranoid; however, when it comes to your safety and security, you can’t ever be too prepared. Like trust, once a sense of security has eroded, it can be nearly impossible to rebuild.
There is a lot of material. We have already covered what you should be most aware of during the holiday season (you can go back and read it later). Now, we are going to breakdown our thoughts, our actions, and how they affect our environment in relation to personal and physical security over the next week.
What do burglars look for in a home? In no particular order, these are the things that are trends and what you can do to mitigate your risk:
Crime Watch - You can join right now! You don’t need to worry since it will open a new window and then you can come back right here. You can pickup where we left off.
Don’t Answer The Door For Strangers - Most robberies occur during the day between 10am and 3pm when it is warm outside in July and August. According to the FBI, the time range they are in your home can vary greatly, especially if it is dependent upon a specifically targeted item of interest; however, typical commission time is between eight and ten minutes, but about three in our area. If a stranger knocks on your door, make sure they know you’re home, but don’t answer the door. Thieves prefer empty homes. If you choose to answer the door, do so while on the phone with a friend (or pretend you’re on the phone). This will key a burglar in to the fact that someone else will know if a break-in occurs.
Watch For People Taking Photos - In today’s world, pretty much everyone has a camera on their phone. It is easier than ever before for people to snap a quick photo of your home for later. With new home builds, it is simple to go to the model for a tour to see the layout of our homes as well. If you notice someone taking pictures of your house and walking away, this likely a red flag. The only time I have ever experienced it that it was permissible is when it was a Real Estate Broker, Agent, Surveyor, Investor, or Appraiser. They don’t mind when you ask who they are and most drive wrapped or logo’d vehicles. We must vigilantly look for suspicious activity and alert our local law enforcement if we perceive a threat. Your help could aid them in an ongoing investigation or better yet, stop one altogether.
New Runner/Walker - When a criminal is casing a home, they may appear to be innocently walking or jogging by, but they will likely linger for a prolonged period near your home to scope it out. If you notice this type of behavior, take note of their appearance for future reference. The same goes for foot traffic near your house, if you notice a stranger frequently walking near or past your home, they may be scoping your house out in search of weak points.
Be A Good Witness - Be sure to get a good look at the individual (and purchase high quality security cameras that can distinguish faces if you can) to have an accurate description to give to the police. Keep in mind that not every new person who walks past your home and casts a glance your way is a potential burglar. If you see a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood, write down the license plate number or snap a photo. It may turn out to be an unknown visitor from down the street but it won’t hurt to have the info if it turns out to be someone up to no good.
Strangers With Strange Requests - Some thieves or burglars will knock at the front door asking for help, say, a glass of water, use of your bathroom, looking for a missing dog, need directions, or confirmation of certain things like an ad on Craigslist. They normally would knock at the door at the time when people are not expected to be home, around mid-morning and mid-afternoon when most of the housewives are out running errands or out picking up kids. Some homeowners point out some strangers pretending to be a handyman or someone who has done repair work or remodeling job on your new house and they will come back checking out your house. That doesn’t happen without you initiating contact.
Flyers & Stickers - Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded. It is wise to remove any flyers from your home immediately. If you are going to be out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to remove any flyers, packages, or newspapers that could be piling up outside your home indicating that you are away.
Peephole/Doorbell Camera - If you have a solid door, install a standard wide-angle 190-degree peephole mounted no higher than fifty-eight inches to provide maximum visibility for your household. If you have an adult in your home that can’t see through that height, please install a second at his or her level of comfort. I prefer to use my cameras now, but I understand that not everyone is comfortable with them and they can be costly. We had two peepholes at our former home because I am significantly shorter than my husband.
Alarm Systems - Homes without alarm systems are three times more likely to be burglarized. Even if you can’t afford an alarm, you can purchase a dummy camera with a blinking light and alarm signs to place by all of your doors in the meantime. I like to have fun with them and trade signs with friends, so each sign has a different company name on it. Alarm systems also make your homeowner’s insurance rates go down. I suggest starting small with a WiFi based system and adding to it as you can. I like to have the freedom of owning my equipment and being in control of it, but I have unique expertise most don’t. I love Ring because we have Echoes throughout our home, so I can say, “Alexa, show me the front door”, or any other camera at any time, and she will give me live camera footage. I can also answer the door when I am in another part of the home or not even at home.
Windows - Carefully select which windows to open, when you do open them. Do not leave them unattended. Think of them like a toddler. When sleeping, please resist the urge to open them. It’s best to open the windows that are visible from the street while you are at home. A thief will have a harder time slipping into a window that’s easily visible to neighbors. Don’t open windows wide. You should keep all windows open by a margin of less than four inches because it is the circumference of a child’s head which means there’s little chance a burglar can fit his head through an opening of that size. Then, you are keeping your children and your home safe. I know the thought of fresh air can be tempting to those of us with allergies; however, the best way to fight off allergens is for your home to be a closed system that uses a medical grade MERV filter. When we open our doors and windows, we let allergens in - not out.
Try walking around your home inside and outside tomorrow, but I want you to be the burglar. What do you see that needs to be addressed? Safety and security are skills and habits that we can freely share and build upon together. They do not happen overnight. With some small changes, we can make a large impact.
