Who would break into a residential home with the intent of burglarizing it? It's hard to imagine the mindset that would interrupt the peace and safety of the average home for personal gain, but the amount of carelessness and desperation that lead a person to such drastic measures is a very real and motivating force.
Both men and women resort to residential burglary when they feel they have no way out of a tough economic situation, although it is more common for males to be the offenders, and burglaries can happen day or night.
Sometimes the burglar may work alone, and others work in pairs or even groups.
Some will arrive on foot, while others will search the neighborhood by car for the perfect house to 'hit.
' With all these general tendencies, it sounds like a burglar could be just about anyway.
Luckily, there are some more predictable patterns that make identifying a burglar a bit easier, such as the tendency to stay close to home in familiar territory, but not too close for fear of recognition, the tendency to hit multiple houses in one area, and a general air of suspicion.
Often the burglar will attempt to learn more about the area by spending more time there, sometimes disguised as a household employee.
Luckily, criminal profiling doesn't matter too much in maintaining good home security.
All it takes is knowing a little bit about why any burglar in any circumstances might pick a particular residence.
To begin with, the less chance of getting caught the better.
If a house gives the air of being empty, such as having no activity with the lights out for extended periods of time, it might start looking appealing to a burglar.
The less external lighting the better, and the longer the house has been unoccupied the better.
This is why it's important to create at least the illusion of activity around a house that is sitting empty while the family is homeowner is away, say on vacation.
Residences that are easy to enter are also the most appealing, and often leaving doors and windows unlocked or ajar is the biggest home security risk a person could let slide.
More burglars enter through the front door than any other entrance of the house, and part of the reason why is simple carelessness by the homeowner! Any houses with large areas that provide good cover are appealing, such as those with alleyways, lots of shrubs and bushes, high fences, and other objects to block the street view.
Expensive items in plain view are also appealing like electronics, or even toys or bicycles left out on the lawn.
Some of the biggest deterrents out there include homes with home alarm systems.
The ultimate way to get caught is to risk the neighbors or even the police being drawn to the scene of the impending crime.
Homes with excellent security lighting are also less appealing to burglars, because overall visibility is better and the chances of getting caught increased.
It is easy to tell if neighbors in an area are looking out for one another, and burglars can sense whether or not they are raising suspicion.
Organize with neighbors to look out for one another's properties while not home not only while away on vacations but while out at work or school during the day.
Make sure to lock all doors and windows while out, and even while you are at home, and keep burglars away no matter what time of day or night!