Darinka Aleksic
Discussions on electronic home security can be interesting. In any group of people, some will think home security is a good idea. Others will dismiss it as being ineffective or too expensive. The ultimate question is whether installing a home security system is worth it. Before attempting to answer that question, consumers should know some basic facts.
A researcher at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte conducted a study a number of years ago. He interviewed convicted felons about their burglary strategies and practices. The study has since become the consummate resource for proving that home security really does deter burglary.
Based on that study, here are three residential burglary statistics every homeowner should know:
1. Most Burglaries Are Committed by Amateurs
Hollywood has done a fantastic job of convincing us that seasoned professionals equipped with the latest tools and gadgets to bypass security systems pull off most burglaries. Reality is far different.
Amateurs conduct an estimated 85% of. These are desperate people in need of some quick cash. One could argue that this makes them more dangerous. On the other hand, amateurs do not necessarily go to great lengths to steal the most valuable items and sell them without getting caught.
Amateurs tend to zero-in on small things they can put in their pockets or carry easily in their hands. They look for small electronics, jewelry, cash, and so forth.
2. Amateurs Don’t Necessarily Plan Their Burglaries
While sophisticated burglary rings may rely on extensive planning before hitting luxury estates in Southern California, most amateurs plan very little, if they plan at all. According to the previously referenced study, just 12% of amateur burglars make the effort to plan in advance. An estimated 41% said their burglaries were impulse decisions.
Does this mean burglars randomly choose targets? No, they still scope out homes and look for telltale signs that could lead to trouble. Some even wander through neighborhoods looking for targets before they act. Yet they do not spend weeks or months planning their burglaries in advance.
3. Burglars Really Do Look for Alarm Systems
For the purposes of this post, the most important statistic is this: 83% of the interviewed felons said they specifically look to see if a security system is present. More importantly, 60% said they would change their mind if they saw one. They would target an unprotected house instead.
This one point absolutely makes the case for installing an electronic home security system. Better yet, getting a system that offers professional monitoring gives homeowners the best defense against burglars. Well-known providers like Vivint offer top-of-the-line equipment along with 24/7 security system monitoring.
The numbers do not lie. The vast majority of burglars admit to checking for a security system before they act. They look for video surveillance cameras, yard signs and window decals, and the glowing lights of a keypad on the wall inside the front door.
Determined Burglars Are the Exception
One of the main objections to electronic home security is that it will not stop a truly determined burglar. That is true. No anti-burglary strategy or technology will. But the other side of that coin is that determined burglars are the exception, not the rule. Most burglars will walk away if they feel their chances of being caught are too high. Electronic home security only increases those chances.
There are reasons not to install a home security system, but there are more reasons to put one in. If you need some, the three statistics discussed earlier on in this post should do the trick.
