Could your home be the target of a burglary? While you may think the crime is a random act, some burglaries are planned. In 2022 alone, 673,261 theft cases were reported nationwide.According to the FBI, because thefts occur suddenly and authorities are not always able to respond in time, prevention is the most effective strategy.
Practicing basic security measures and watching out for warning signs can help prevent your home from becoming a target. Below are four main signs that your home may be a target for burglaries.
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Man trying to break into a house (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
4 signs your home may be a burglar target
While robberies may seem random, criminals are usually looking for an opportunity to commit a crime. You might be surprised to know that robbers take time to assess their victim and their weaknesses before striking. To find their next victim, they often observe and learn the habits of their next target. Below are some signs that a robber may be targeting you:
1) Beware of suspicious vehicles
Instead of paying attention to suspicious vehicle makes and models, pay attention to the behavior and behavior of unfamiliar vehicles that frequent your neighborhood.
Who is in the car?
Most people just park their car and leave it there unless someone is working nearby, picking someone up, or waiting for someone in the area. If someone is just sitting in their car with no reason to be in the area, that’s a red flag. They’re probably scouting the neighborhood to see who to target and how best to commit a crime.
Are you equipped?
Are the occupants of the car using surveillance devices such as cameras or binoculars? This could be a sign that they are actively searching for who their next victim will be and how and when best to commit a crime.
Do they rotate or are multiple people involved?
If you start to notice a pattern of different people showing up in the same car on different days or if you see multiple people hanging out in the same car, it could be a sign that you or a neighbor is being targeted.
A criminal peeking into someone’s window (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
2) A stranger knocks on your door
It may seem unwise for criminals to meet with their victims face-to-face before committing a crime, but there are four reasons why criminals visit potential victims on their doorsteps.
1) Establish a schedule: Burglars may come to your front door to see when someone is home or to see who is home.
2) Check for more details. Having your door open gives criminals the opportunity to observe your home in more detail: whether you have pets that could deter a crime, whether there are other occupants that could deter a crime, and whether there are any additional obstacles that could deter a crime, such as a security system or cameras.
3) Committing a crime: Some criminals are ready to pounce if they get the chance. They usually use a false situation, especially an urgency, to get you to open the door. They may see this as an opportunity to break into your home and rob you on the spot.
4) Vandalism: It may seem counterintuitive, but burglars sometimes commit small, random acts of vandalism to see if their victims are paying attention or if the target home is occupied. These random acts include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Light: Are your motion sensor lights working? Are your outdoor lights broken or unscrewed? If so, it could mean a burglar is preparing to commit a crime.
- camera: If you have outdoor security cameras, are they working properly? Have they been moved slightly or hidden? Burglars may move these devices to avoid capturing their crime on camera.
- Property Damage: Burglars may break windows or garden decorations to see if someone is actually home. If no one notices the damage or repairs it, the burglar may see it as a sign that the home is an easy place to steal from.
- Tank is empty: Burglars will do anything to buy themselves time to commit a crime, even draining the gas from your car’s gas tank. If your gas tank is empty without your knowledge, you won’t have enough gas to get home on your normal schedule, giving the criminal more time to rob your house.
- Targeting Pets: Some burglars may even kidnap your beloved pets or let them escape from your property to prevent further obstacles and noise while breaking into your home.
A burglar who breaks into someone’s home (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
3) Unusual marks or objects left on the premises
Burglars may leave subtle signs or marks around a building to indicate that it is a target. These may include:
- Chalk mark: Simple symbols or lines painted on walls, fences, or sidewalks can be a way for thieves to communicate with each other.
- Sticker or flyer: Putting unusual stickers or flyers on your door or mailbox can help your home stand out.
- Out of place objects: Objects such as rocks, sticks, or trash placed in certain locations can serve as signals to other thieves.
4) Tampering with security systems
Burglars may try to disable or test your security system before committing a crime.
- Broken Wires: If you notice cut wires around your security cameras or alarm systems, it could be a sign that someone is trying to disable them.
- False alarm: Frequent false alarms could be a tactic used by burglars to desensitize people to alarms going off.
- Unusual Activity: If your security cameras or alarms are exhibiting unusual behavior, such as going off for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that someone is testing your security measures.
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Now that you know the four signs that your home may be a target for burglars, it’s important to take proactive steps to improve your security. If you’re not sure which security cameras or systems you should invest in, check out our article. Best Home Security Systems.
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Whether you’re going out of town for vacation or have noticed an increase in crime in your neighborhood, it’s important to be aware of four signs that indicate you or a neighbor may be a target for burglaries. Individually, these small signs are easy to miss, but together they paint a picture of a perfect target. It may seem wise to confront these suspicious individuals directly, but that may put you at greater risk. In addition to increasing your own security measures and raising awareness among your neighbors, you can also contact local authorities to alert them to suspicious activity. In some cases, local authorities may increase patrols in your area, which may deter criminals from acting.
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