What makes a burglar target a specific home? Is his business random, or does he study and look for specific things that make for a successful burglary?
Truth be known, most successful burglars don’t do anything randomly. They take the time to investigate certain neighborhoods followed by specific houses on any given street. What they’re looking for are telltale signs that a homeowner is careless about home security and preventing break-ins. Once he finds a homeowner that fits his criteria all that’s left to do is figure out when that person is not home.
As a potential victim, the best way for you to thwart a burglar’s efforts is to make sure you are not presenting a picture of carelessness. When a burglar comes down your street he needs to know that you take care of your property, you’re sincere about maintaining it, and you’re not leaving anything to chance. If you don’t project that sort of image your house might very well be a burglar magnet.
The following are some things that might give a potential burglar the impression you’re an easy target:
Overgrown Shrubs - As it is, shrubbery around windows and doors makes them a lot less visible from the street. When homeowners allow shrubbery to be overgrown, those same windows and doors become entry points which tell the potential burglar you don’t care enough about curb appeal to trim your shrubs. Along the same lines, a lawn that is not kept neatly mowed presents the same type of image.
Unkempt Yard - If you have children who regularly play in your yard make sure at the end of the day all of their toys and sporting equipment is cleaned up and put away in its proper place. If a potential thief drives by and sees your back yard was littered with bicycles, balls, and other sorts of children’s items his first assumption is that parents are too busy or simply don’t care enough to make sure things are picked up at the end of the day. If that’s true, such parents are also less likely to pay attention to security issues.
Snow on Sidewalks - In cold weather climates sidewalks and driveways that are not kept clear of snow are another good indication to the thief that he’s found a good target. One possibility is the fact that the homeowners are not home, and haven’t been for a while. This makes it at least a further investigation by the burglar worthwhile. If the homeowners are not away on an extended trip, accumulated snow is at least an indication that homeowners are not concerned with keeping their exit ways clear.
Unlocked Doors - Believe it or not is not unusual for burglars to park out in a neighborhood and watch people come and go. If a burglar observes several different people entering your house, all without using a key, that’s an indication to him that your doors are kept unlocked during the day. While that may not necessarily indicate an easy target in and of itself, if the people coming and going appear to be friends rather than family members, allowing them to walk in without knocking or using keys indicates a certain lack of concern on your part.
There are other things burglars might look for depending on their own experience. Nonetheless, you want to present the appearance that you are on top of things at all times where your home is concerned. The better image you present from the curb, the less likely your house will be a target.