- Property crimes account for more than 75% of all criminal acts committed in the United States.
- According to various law enforcement agencies, there were nearly 2.2 million burglary cases in 2005, a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
- In 2005, residential burglaries accounted for the majority of all break-ins, with 65.8% of all break-ins occurring in homes. This is up from 62.4% in the previous year. Almost all of these incidents occurred between 6:00AM and 6:00PM.
- The Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock estimates that a burglary takes place in the country every 14.6 seconds.
- The estimated property lost in all reported burglaries in the United States alone totals over $3.1 billion per year.
- Statistics show that burglars target houses without security alarms 2.7 times more often than those with systems in place.
- Each burglary causes an average of $675 in losses and damages to the property owner.
- One in every six homes in the United States is likely to be broken into by burglars.
- Since 2001, burglaries and break-ins have steadily increased by nearly 2%.
- While most residential burglaries happen during the hours of 6:00AM and 6:00PM, most business and non-residential burglaries tend to occur during the night.
- 84% of burglars who attempt to gain entry to a home will be able to do so even if the doors and windows are securely locked.
- Most burglars enter homes through first-story entrances, including doors, windows, and other openings.
Still not convinced? Here are just a few interesting ways that security systems can keep you safe.
- Keep Your Children Safe. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that “most child-playing home fires are started with lighters or matches.” Child-playing fires have become an important area of concern for families and the NFPA also reported “as of August 2008, eight states have enacted novelty lighter legislation to protect lighters that are being mistaken for toys.” Security systems help parents monitor their children and alert them to potential danger.
- Safeguard Your Community. Based on statistics from the FBI website, “burglary of residential properties accounted for 67.9 percent of all burglary offenses.” This may suggest that burglars benefit the most from break-ins in residential communities. A large number of security systems in the neighborhood may permanently deter criminals from attacking the area.
- Watch Your Home While Away. Actress Lindsey Lohan’s residence was burglarized for a second time this year. She returned home to discover her safe had been removed and other valuables missing. The police were able to identify the intruders through her surveillance video, but her alarm system was reported as not being turned on. Having an integrated security system serves as your back-up when one mode of security is unavailable.
- Be Proactive About School Security. When burglaries occurred at Giberson Elementary School and Swigert Middle School in Colorado, the primary point of entry was identified by security officers as two windows. Checking that your school has effective security systems in place and that no area has been overlooked will help ensure school safety.
- Protect From Lethal Natural Disasters. A 2009 press release issued by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection encouraged residents in high temperature and dry environments to, “create a 100 foot zone of defensible space around their homes” as a barrier from fires. A wildfire can affect several states, especially during the summer when temperatures are typically higher and the weather is drier. Other natural disasters (such as hurricanes and earthquakes) can leave homes damaged and open to intruders.
