The Breakdown on Break-Ins

No one wants to come home to find their home turned upside down and their valuable possessions missing. Even if you live in a community with a fairly low crime rate, there will always be a chance that burglars may hit your neighborhood and hit your home.

According to Neighborhoodscout’s, Myrtle Beach is ranked 12th on a list of 100 of the the most dangerous cities in the United States.  To look at the statistics, click here to compare violent crimes and property crimes in Myrtle Beach with the rest of South Carolina.

At Strand Security we want our community safe and that means we want you, our blog readers and our Facebook Fans and our customers to be safe! That is why we are going to give you the breakdown on break-ins. The following will discuss burglary statistics, who the typical burglar is, when and how break- ins occur, why homes are targeted, and what burglars are looking for.

Burglary Statistic Breakdown

• Every 13 seconds a home invasion occurs.
• 2.5 million burglaries are committed each year.
• 30 percent of all break-ins are through an unlocked door or open window.
• 8 to 12 minutes is the average time spent in a house by a burglar.
• Only 17 percent of homes have a security system.

The Breakdown On The Typical Burglar

The typical burglar may not exactly look like the boogie man. They may look like a salesman, a utility worker, or maybe someone you might invite in for tea.  Lets take a look at the typical burglar…

• Perpetrators are on average a typical white male, and under the age of 25.
• Burglars typically live within a couple of miles of your home. They live near the intended victim because they know the area and will not have far to travel.
• While a burglar is most likely to have other offenses and has previously been arrested, they are generally non-violent and do not carry a weapon.

The Breakdown on When and How Burglaries Occur

• Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when occupants are at school or work.
• July and August are the more frequent months for break-ins.
• Close to 50 percent break-in through the front or back door.
• First stop is typically the master bedroom where a majority of people keep their valuables.

The Breakdown on Targeted Homes

• Hiding spots such as tall shrubs and fences give burglars places to hide.
• Burglars search for homes that appear to be empty. Perhaps no car in the driveway, no lights on, no toys out, or mail and newspapers are piled up.
• Poor Lighting 
• Lack of a security system

The Breakdown on What Burglars Want

• Favorite items include: jewelry, cash, guns, cameras, laptops, televisions, prescription drugs, bikes, furniture.

Burglars are looking for items that can easily be transferred into cash. The money is often used to support their drug habit.

Now that we have given you the breakdown on break-ins we would like to give you the breakdown on preventing a burglary!

10 Simple Ways to Prevent Burglaries in Your Home or Deter a Potential Burglar

1. Install a security system and advertise the fact. Put stickers on the windows and a sign out front. Make sure the system is always activated!
2. Install security cameras.
3. Consider adopting a dog and/or post ‘beware of dog’ signs around the house.
4. Install motion-sensitive lights.
5. Add stoppers to the windows and deadbolt locks to the doors.
6. Leave the TV or stereo on while gone.
7. Do not announce new big ticket items purchased by leaving boxes on the curb.
8. Keep the garage door closed and locked.
9. Do not allow for mail and newspapers to build up.
10. Keep vegetation around your home under control.

If you are part of the 17% of homeowners who do have an alarm system installed, kudos to you! If not, give us a call today!