Odds are pretty good that if you live in your home for five years or more you will be the victim of a burglary or home invasion-the distinction is whether the home is occupied or not. A home invasion is entry, forced or not, when the home is occupied.

In 2004 the Bureau of Justice reported that:

-77% of all crime was property related

-17% of all crime domiciles were violated by a burglar

-85% of all burglaries the offender gained entry into the house or other building.

A property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds-pretty scary statistics.

The good news is that 90% of all burglaries and home invasions are preventable by following some basically common sense tactics. Think about it. If you were a burglar what would be looking for in a target to rob. Believe it or not most burglars are pretty smart and are only looking for easy targets not difficult challenges. After all it is no fun getting caught.

He’d look for a certain amount of seclusion-privacy so he couldn’t be seen coming or going.

He’d look for a lot of cover so he couldn’t be seen entering the residence-bushes, trees etc.

He’d look for a place that was attractive -windows so he could see into the house to see what was available for him to steal.

He’d look for a residence that was in relative darkness. Light is certainly not the friend of a burglar.

He’d look for signs-literal signs that advertise if a place is protected in any way. Signs from a security company, NRA membership signs, “Beware of guard dog”, “Neighborhood Watch” signs etc.

He’d also look for any obvious deterrent such as surveillance cameras, bars on lower windows.

He’d look for a pattern of the homeowner leaving windows or garage doors open.

When any self respecting burglar does his job he is looking for several elements when he “cases” prospective targets. He needs time, darkness, and of course a reason to rob a residence-merchandise. The “look” of your house is very important to a burglar too. If you take steps to make the residence “unattractive” to a burglar chances are pretty good he will pass your residence and choose someone more vulnerable.

Chances are very good that you are reading this because in some way crime has touched your life or you want to be proactive and protect yourself, family, home, or business from the ravages of crime. That is the first step.

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