Burglary Prevention: Criminal Insights

Understanding Burglary from a Criminal's Perspective

• Burglars often target settled homes in affluent neighborhoods due to the likelihood of disposable income, jewelry, and ready cash.
• Middle-class homes are burglarized less frequently, as they are perceived to have less available wealth.
• Well-kept homes with expensive fences signal a higher likelihood of valuable contents inside.

Security Systems and Dogs as Deterrents

• Wireless alarm systems are more effective deterrents than wired systems because the cellular connection is harder to disable.
• Simply having a wireless system is often enough to deter burglars.
• Dogs, especially aggressive ones, can deter burglars but aren't always reliable.
• Dogs that run to find someone when a stranger is at the door can indicate that someone is home, even if they don't answer.
• Burglars may test a dog's aggressiveness before attempting a break-in.

The Importance of Neighborhood Watch

• Nosy neighbors and active Neighborhood Watch programs are significant deterrents.
• Burglars avoid neighborhoods where residents are observant and involved in policing efforts (V.I.P.).
• A thief is less likely to target a home if there is a risk of confrontation or identification.
• High awareness in a neighborhood deters burglars.

Home Appearance and Vulnerability

• Unkempt yards in affluent neighborhoods can signal that the residents are away, making the home a target.
• Accumulated mail and newspapers are indicators of a vacant home and increase the likelihood of a burglary.
• Burglars often pose as joggers or walkers to blend in while casing neighborhoods, sometimes using long sleeves to conceal tattoos.
• They look for homes with mail, newspapers, defeatable alarm systems, and that appear unkempt, adjusting their criteria based on the neighborhood's affluence.

Front of the House Assessment

• Burglars look for visual pathways into the home through front windows.
• They knock on the door persistently to confirm no one is home, while observing reflections and shadows inside.
• Leaving lights on inside the home is a deterrent, avoid positioning lights directly visible from the front windows.

Impact of Vehicles and Timers

• A vehicle parked in the driveway is a major deterrent.
• Timers that control lights, stereos, and recorded voices can mimic occupancy.
• An ultrasound or sonic detector that triggers a verbal response when someone knocks on the door can deter burglars.

Alarm System Permits

• Burglars check for alarm system permits on front windows, which indicate a direct connection to the police station.
• Many homeowners fail to maintain their alarm system after the initial free period, making their homes vulnerable.

Rear of the House Approach

• Burglars may jog through a street and use cut-throughs to approach the alley behind a target house.
• In locked fence cases, burglars might climb or flip over fences.
• Any sign of observation from neighbors will abort the burglary attempt.
• Repeatedly casing the same alley will draw suspicion, ruining the burglar's preparation.

Community Awareness and Safety

• Most people in cul-de-sacs are more aware of neighborhood activity due to constant contact.
• Meeting your neighbors for a 'housewarming party' or participating in 'Neighborhood Watch' are ways of ensuring everyone knows each other.
• Awareness of surroundings is foundational to protect families and homes.
• People should not be afraid to report suspicious people.
• This person may be a murderer or rapist, not just a burglar.
• Criminals also follow UPS trucks to steal packages, indicating vacant homes.

Doorstep Encounters

• Loudly knocking on the door in the middle of the day can be a precursor to a burglary.
• If someone knocks aggressively, make verbal contact without opening the door eg: “Who is it".
• Pretending to be on the phone deters potential intruders.
• Making any noise will more than likely deter malicious behavior.

Preferred Entry Methods

• Burglars can prefer to enter through windows.

Entry Points & Security Weaknesses

• Large double pane windows are common but make noise when broken, especially those without safety glass
• Doors with safety glass are better entry points if a center punch is used to break the glass quietly
• Marble windows in bathrooms can be pushed in or the molding pulled out for entry, surprisingly accessible
• Many people do not have glass break alarms installed
• Doggy doors can provide easy access, even bypassing armed alarm systems
• High sliding windows can be accessed by athletic individuals who can remove the frame to enter, unless a bar is in place
• Large oval stained-glass-like windows above bathtubs are fragile and easy to break, but a glass sensor can address this weakness

Alarm Systems

• A glass break alarm, also known as a sonic or (Felty) glass sensor alarm, detects glass breaking
• Cutting wires is a common way to defeat alarms
• Cellular alarm systems cannot be defeated by cutting the wires
• Wireless alarm systems are difficult to defeat; law enforcement response is very quick
• Outdoor horns are crucial; indoor alarms are easily located and disabled
• Signs indicating wireless alarm systems and a direct link to police (e.g., Plano PD) are strong deterrents
• "Ready" light on an alarm system means it is ready to be armed, not that it is armed.
• Motion detectors are standard in homes, these will trigger the alarm even after the wires are cut, leading to a quick response

Burglar's Timeline & Priorities

• Comfortable time inside a house is around five to seven minutes once the alarm system is defeated
• The primary target is jewelry and readily available cash
• Master bedroom is usually the first place a burglar will search, often located on the first floor even in two-story homes
• After the master bedroom, burglars may check the office for credit cards, financial records with account and routing numbers
• Credit cards are used to buy electronics for resale, but not to take out cash advances, which could lead to identity theft

Valuables

• Jewelry and cash are the main targets
• Jewelry is typically found in the master bedroom, women's bureau, master closet (including on racks)
• Safes are often found in men's closets
• Financial records, credit cards, social security cards, licenses and passports are frequently unsecured

Hiding Valuables

• Don't keep jewelry in the master bedroom
• If there is only cheap jewelry where expensive jewelry should be, it is suspicious
• Good hiding places including in the garage in a toolbox or in the attic, especially for heirloom jewelry that isn't frequently used
• When heirloom jewelry is stolen, the emotional value can be devastating to victims.

Exiting a Property

• If the alarm system is off, exit through the front door
• If the alarm is on, exit the way you entered
• If unsure if the alarm is cellular, cut the wires, trigger the alarm, and leave. Return later after police have come and gone.

Deterrents & Security Measures

• Shutters close to prevent line of sight into your home
• Don't place the alarm system box where it's visible from the outside, especially the back door
• Blinking timer lights turn on/off to give the appearance that someone is home
• Door hardware and locks, improve, having a steel "kicker plate" around the door frame is ideal, almost impossible to bypass
• Solid doors are preferred over doors with glass because windows create too much noise

Doors & Windows

• Avoid doors that can be seen all the way through from front to back
• Install cameras at eye level (around 5'8") with LED lights, not hidden high in a corner
• Double-plated glass windows that make a loud noise when cracked are an effective deterrent
• Presence of security measures, even if seemingly basic (like a fake camera), can deter potential intruders.
• Visible security features can create an impression of high-tech security, discouraging unwanted attention.
• The speaker acknowledges engaging in morally questionable activities, driven by drug use.
• Upon overcoming drug influence, the speaker experienced significant guilt and shame regarding past actions.
• The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share experiences, aiming to both inform the public and alleviate personal guilt.