10 Things Criminals Look For When Breaking Into Properties

As a business or homeowner, looking at your property through the eyes of a criminal intent on breaking in can be a great idea. It can really help you in identifying particular security issues.

There are many different things that experienced criminals are looking for when targeting a property. Here are the ten things they will most often consider – for both homes and businesses:

1. Obstructed doors and windows – shrubs, trees, signage or even parked vehicles can obstruct the line of sight to doors and windows, giving criminals the opportunity to break in without being seen.
2. Poor or no lighting – darker areas are always a better target than bright, well-lit areas of any building.
3. Dark interior – lights off in the house or building is a clear indicator that people are not present. Leaving lights on also makes it easier to see movement inside, in the event of a break-in.
4. No physical security – doors left unlocked, windows left open and no security on the property makes a home or business an easy target, day and night.
5. Lack of professional security – lack of security systems, security guards or patrols throughout a neighborhood make property a better candidate for theft.
6. Display of valuables – both homes and businesses that display high value items are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
7. Window air conditioners – old styles of window air conditioners make it easy for a criminal to enter a home or business by removing the unit from the outside.
8. Lock up cash – businesses need to be consistent in locking up deposits and floats, or keeping them off the property. Securing cash is particularly important in businesses with high employee turnover.
9. Patterns of behavior – properties where people come and go frequently are less likely to be targeted than businesses and homes with highly predictable schedules. The is particularly true on weekends and holidays.
10. Change the locks – new home purchasers should change all locks in the home. Businesses should use electronic keypads or keycards, and immediately disable the cards or codes for any employees that are fired or leave the company.

Hiring a security company is a good start in completing a security evaluation of your home or business. The evaluation provides specific information to improve security and decrease the risk of theft.

For assistance with security for your home or business, talk to the team at Dinasty Security. To schedule an appointment, visit us online at www.dynastysecurity.com.