Webster County is no exception to the national trend of a steady decrease in cases of burglaries. In 2012, Webster County reported a total of 241 burglary offenses. Compare that to the 128 cases reported in 2022 and it’s easy to see that we are headed in the right direction.
Despite that fact, any single burglary can be devastating to an individual or family whose home has been violated by this crime. Fortunately, there are many strategies available to keep yourself from becoming a victim of this invasive offense. Don’t think because you don’t own your home you are exempt from this information. Historically, renters are actually MORE likely to be burglarized than homeowners. Today we are going to talk about how a burglar enters the home and what you can do to secure those areas.
42% of burglaries are spur-of-the-moment, while only 12% are planned. Burglary is a crime of convenience and it doesn’t get more convenient than using the front door to gain access to your home. In a recent study done of persons convicted of this crime, 100% if them confirmed that they knocked on the front door before proceeding to break into the home. When it comes to your front door, the kind of door and lock you have could be the single most important deterrent. Here is what to look for:
Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood, and at least one-and-three-quarters inches thick. Doorframes must also be made of equally strong material, and the doors must fit their frames securely, without gaps that would allow a prybar, screwdriver, or other tool to gain leverage. Even the most efficient locks, if placed in a weak door, will not keep out a determined burglar. Find a door with a wide angle peep hole instead of using a sliding chain lock to view visitors. Sliding glass doors are easy to open but, if you have these doors, there are special locks you can add to make them more secure.
When it comes to habits that will protect your home from the foot of a burglar crossing that threshold, lock your door, at the very least, when you are not home and at night. Some even opt to lock their doors when they are home during the day.
When it comes to your locks, deadbolts are the best. Find one that is pick resistant. If you aren’t sure what the reputable brands are, check with the hardware store or a locksmith. Don’t leave a key outside your door unless it is in a secure lockbox…most seasoned burglars know exactly where to look for hidden keys. It is also possible that they have been watching your home and have seen you, or someone you know, use the stashed key. One final point about keys, don’t keep your address on a tag attached to the keychain. If lost, it could point the wrong person directly to (and into) your home.
23% of criminals use a first floor window to enter a home. There are many ways to protect your windows. These include: window locks (sturdier ones than what the average window comes with), window film that can make your windows shatter-resistant, security screen that are cut-resistant. To protect against window entry without spending a lot of money, make sure that shrubbery around the windows is trimmed so that potential burglars cannot hide behind them. You could also use a nail or a piece of wood in the track to make it impossible to open the window enough to gain entry. Keep exterior lights on at night to keep a burgler from feeling hidden in the dark.
Some habits you can get into that will protect your home include:
- Establish a routine to make certain that doors and windows are locked and alarm systems are turned on.
- Avoid giving information to unidentified telephone callers and announcing your personal plans online or in public notices (such as giving your address when advertising items for sale).
- Join with your neighbors to keep a close watch on what’s happening in your area—working together as a community is always a good way to prevent crime.
- Notify the police and/or your neighborhood watch if you see suspicious strangers in your area.
We hope these tips give you some ideas on how to keep your home safe. Check back with us next week for another surprising statistic on burglaries.
