Safety and security risks and concerns are regrettably a part of our everyday lives, and when it comes to crime, the alarmingly high burglary statistics speak for themselves. It’s among the most prevalent problems faced by the security officials of the United States.
While the threat may be extremely worrisome, there are things that you can do to keep yourself, your house, and your loved ones safe from burglaries, robberies, and break-ins. Simple solutions include not broadcasting when you won’t be available at home, locking the doors and windows properly, and investing in a high-tech home security system. ADT Security Packages offer different home security packages designed to fit the various security and home automation needs of its customers. The packages include motion detectors, doors and windows sensors, 24/7 alarm monitoring, and more. Now that we have that covered, let’s talk about some terrifying burglary and robbery statistics due to which the citizens of the United States need to take the above-mentioned security precautions.
- About 34% of robbers and burglars walk right through the front door
This is where the importance of locking the doors and windows needs quite a consideration. Most burglars are not scared of walking right through the front door. In case the door is locked, they may try other adverse measures like picking the lock or breaking a window. You can reduce the chances of getting robbed significantly if you choose the doors and windows properly. Have the doors made out of metal or wood, something that is hard to kick down, and install a heavy-duty deadbolt lock. They are ten times harder to get into than normal locks. Having a surveillance camera or sensor light somewhere around the front door can also help deter burglars away.
- On average, a burglary takes place once every 30 seconds in the United States
That’s 2 burglaries in one minute and up to 3000 every day, making burglary a very prevalent crime in the United States. It is reported to be one of the top priority crimes by homeowners. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, around 2.5 million burglaries occur every year in the United States and 66% of those burglaries are classified as home invasions. Besides physical assault, burglary is considered to be one of the most invasive crimes that increase fear and vulnerability in victims.
- The average tangible loss a victim suffers from burglary is estimated to be $2,661, excluding the emotional loss.
Burglary can lead to significant monetary and emotional upheaval. The people who think they don’t have a lot of valuable things can lose a ton if burglarized. The monetary loss that accounts for up to $3000 includes belongings, lock changing, time missed from work, and more. For some people, a home security system may be expensive but you stand to lose much more if you get burglarized.
You must also note that repeat offenses are also common if the criminal feels the home is an easy target. Besides monetary loss, a robbery or burglary can lead to a significant emotional toll on the victims. Given the monetary and emotional loss, you must take the necessary precautions to protect your home and its residents.
- About 25% of victims who attempt to interrupt a burglar might be subjected to a violent crime
The lesson here is quite simple. In case you are home during a break-in, don’t try to stop the burglars as they may resort to violence. Keep quiet, stay hidden, stay out of sight at all costs, and call 911 if possible.
- 45% of all burglaries take place in broad daylight
Most of us assume that burglars and robbers are prowling around at night but much to our surprise, as per the FBI, most burglaries take place during the daytime. According to numerous surveys, the most common time for burglars to break into homes is between 12 pm – 4 pm. The reason for this is that most robbers don’t want to cause the residents any harm. They just want the money and valuables. A burglary only turns into a home invasion when someone is at home. That is when things can get ugly.
- It is expected that by 2039, about three-fourth of the houses in the United States would be broken into
The security officials of the United States have been investigating the burglary and robbery trends and the recent findings seem to be mind-boggling. The latest reports suggest that about 75% of all houses in the United States will be burglarized over the next 18 – 20 years. These figures suggest that it’s high time for you to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your house and its residents.
Wrapping Up
We understand that these horrifying statistics are enough to keep you up at night. You work hard to build a home of your dreams that has everything that you want and you would do everything to protect it and the people who live in it.
The above-mentioned facts and figures are not meant to scare you but to keep you aware of your surroundings. The more aware you are, the more likely it is that you’ll take all the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.