The debate over whether electronic home security is effective has been raging for as long as I can remember. I take a positive view, given the fact that many studies show as much.
Yet there is a subtle lesson to be learned about home security’s effectiveness. It is a lesson that goes above and beyond relying only on video cameras, alarms, and remote monitoring to prevent burglary and home invasion.
Burglars Admit They Don’t Like Security Systems
Many studies over the years have shown that burglars admit to not liking security systems. The most commonly cited among them is a 2015 study from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Charlotte. Researchers interviewed over 400 convicted felons to find out their thoughts on burglary and home security systems.
A surprising 83% admitted to checking a home for cameras and alarm systems before proceeding with a burglary. Most said they would avoid homes if home security devices were discovered. That is pretty definitive.
On the surface, a home security system acting as a deterrent makes perfect sense. Why? Because criminals of all types try to avoid the following:
- Being seen or heard.
- Drawing attention to their activities.
- Leaving behind evidence that could lead to a conviction.
A home security system is a burglar’s worst nightmare, thanks to video surveillance that makes him both seen and heard. A security system’s alarm and remote monitoring capabilities draw attention to what he is doing.
And as for evidence, security cameras that record and store data provide all the evidence investigators need to find, arrest, and prosecute.
Acting Quickly Is a Priority
In addition to the things already mentioned, criminals are very sensitive to time. They want to be able to act as quickly as possible while not compromising the chance is for success.
Think of it this way: if a burglar could learn to operate efficiently enough to get in and out of a house in under 5 minutes, would he still take 20 minutes to ransack a home? Probably not.
Burglars know that time is the enemy. The more time they spend inside a home, the greater the likelihood of being caught. So they tend to get in and out as quickly as they can.
If it takes too much time to break in, they might choose softer targets.
Other Things Burglars Don’t Like
We are gradually getting a better picture of what burglars do and do not like. They do like moving quickly. They do like being able to act without being seen or heard. But what types of things don’t they like? Burglars do not like:
- Observant Neighbors – More than one burglar owes his downfall to observant neighbors willing to report suspicious activity to the police. It goes without saying that burglars don’t like these types of people.
- Dogs – Burglars do not like dogs any more than they like security systems. Dogs make noise. They can be vicious, too.
- Deadbolts and Security Glass – Deadbolt locks and security glass are not preferred features on homes burglars tend to target. Both usually slow burglars down, making their job more difficult.
Speaking of making a burglar’s job more difficult, have you noticed the trend here? Burglars prey on the easiest possible targets.
In that regard, they are not all that different from any other type of criminal. They go after the weakest members of society with the understanding that the weak struggle to push back.
Therein lies the subtle lesson of home security as a deterrent.
Pushing Back, Paying Attention
Any type of criminal is essentially involved in a power struggle against each of his victims. He plans on winning those struggles more often than not. In a sense, criminals are a lot like bullies.
They look for people they can pick on with little resistance. But what happens when you push back against a bully? Usually, he stops.
A home security system represents pushing back. But it also tells a burglar that a homeowner is paying attention.
When combined with other home security strategies, an electronic security system can go a long way toward sending burglars packing.
Fortunately, electronic home security does not have to be expensive. Vivint Home Security, one of the nation’s leading providers, offers a range of affordable devices and systems to match every budget. They are not alone.
Most of the big-name brands offer a combination of budget, mid-range, and high-end systems.
As a homeowner, your investment in electronic home security tells burglars that you are willing to fight them. But don’t stop there. Push back in other ways, too.
Find ways to make it clear that you are paying attention to what is going on around you.
Burglars Will Run Scared
Burglars will run scared if they know their activities are being watched. So go ahead and equip your home with video surveillance cameras.
But then get together with your neighbors and establish a community watch program. Your local police department can tell you how to do it.
Here are some other things you can do:
- Keep the Garage Door Closed – Leaving the garage door open tells burglars you are careless. Keeping it closed says just the opposite.
- Keep Doors Locked – Keep your first-floor door is locked even when you are at home. Burglars have been known to try handles just to see if they are open. An unlocked door suggests to burglars that you are not paying attention.
- Maintain Privacy – Maintain your privacy at all times. Do not flaunt your possessions on social media. Don’t broadcast to the world that you are on vacation or that you just checked into your favorite restaurant. The less information you put out there, the safer you are.
The subtle and underlying lesson here is simple enough when you think about it: preventing burglary and other crimes is not merely about installing electronic devices.
It is about taking the necessary steps to push back against crime. When criminals know that you won’t except being bullied, they will have every reason to leave you alone.
