CNET Asked a Top Criminologist How Burglars Choose Homes. It’s Easier Than You Think
CNET got the lowdown on burglaries from an expert. Here’s what they suggest to foil common home thieves.
As our homes have gotten smart and home security — like even a simple video doorbell — has grown more affordable, residential burglaries have decreased over the years. However, millions of burglaries still occur every year, causing an average of $2,660 in losses, and burglars have become smarter and faster in the face of new technology. That means they’re better than ever at casing residential areas, spotting vulnerabilities and finding the right times to get in or dip.
To understand how and why burglaries happen — and how you can help prevent them — we talked to James Lynch, a professor and former chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland. Many of the insights he provided were surprisingly simple and helpful.
Common ways burglars break into homes:
- Look for unlocked doors
- Spotting for affluent homes
- Finding homes with cove
- Returning to the same house
- Watching the garage
How to stop home break-ins from happening to you?
- Locks
- Doors
- Security Systems