How Do I Prevent Property Damage Caused by Crime?
Every concerned homeowner wants to know how to prevent property damage caused by crime. Events like break-ins, theft, trespassing, and vandalism all come with high costs.
You can prevent property damage simply by:
- Adding motion-sensor lights
- Installing an alarm system
- Upgrading to stronger locks
- Replacing vulnerable points
- Adding security signs to your property
There are options for everyone with all sorts of budgets. Regardless, just making one or two minor adjustments can go a long way in preventing crime.
Adding Motion Sensor Lights
Criminals like the cover of darkness. The more light there is, the higher the chance of getting caught.
Though it may seem like a simple fix, adding a motion sensor light can cut down the chances of experiencing crime. Potential criminals optimistic about being covered by darkness can be quickly deterred when they are suddenly flooded with light. Motion sensing lights aren’t a big drain on your power bill and work when it matters the most.
If you don’t want to install additional lighting, you can always upgrade your existing lighting instead. Changing lightbulbs or replacing external lighting fixtures illuminating your home, yard, and street are good alternatives to completely upgrading your lighting system.
Installing Alarm Systems
A typical modern approach to preventing crime is installing a security system. This method is becoming more popular and has different variations to suit your needs.
There are two parts to most in-home security systems:
- Cameras
- Door and window sensors
Cameras are often used externally to watch entry points and observe outdoor assets. These are sometimes paired with motion-sensing lights and alarms, but that is not always the case. They help provide evidence to law enforcement when an incident occurs.
Door and window sensors are trigger alarms. When a window or door opens when the system is armed, the security system will notify the owner and local authorities. Trigger alarms aren’t visible from the outside and don’t work as well as a deterrent. They can scare a burglar off your property before they cause more damage or steal valuable items, though.
Upgrading to stronger locks
Homes and vehicles that look vulnerable are vulnerable.
Above all, potential criminals look for easy targets in covered areas where they can make a fast getaway. If any of your exterior doors look old and weak or look like they have old or weak locks, a criminal may be encouraged to try getting past them.
Don’t settle for weak locks and doors. Giving your entry points an upgrade makes it harder for potential criminals to break into your home. It may even make them rethink targeting you or your property altogether!
Replacing vulnerable points
Is your property well maintained? Property damage and criminal activity are rarely caused by someone determined to carry out their plan regardless of any circumstance. Instead, most illegal activity happens when the criminal thinks it is the most likely they won’t be caught.
Criminals will exploit weak points in your home and yard to carry out their plans. If you have a broken window, that will make an attractive entry-point to get at valuables inside your home.
These things can also be the case for property outside your home. Someone may take advantage of a hole in your fence or a weakened wall of a shed. Criminals can quickly and quietly exploit these points to grant entry to your yard or a shed for stealing valuable items.
The harder it is to get into your yard and home, the harder it will be for criminals to get to anything valuable.
Adding Security Signs to your Property
Another easy deterrent is adding signs to your home. Signs like “Beware of Dog” or “Property Under Surveillance” can deter thieves from targeting your property.
Due to the severity of punishment when someone causes a crime, criminals are very risk-averse. Signs are a quick signal to them that breaking into your home is going to be trouble for them.
Even if you don’t have a dog or have yet to install a burglar alarm, these signs can warn thieves off your property. The very thought of them getting caught is enough to call off a criminal act.
What are the most common crimes?
Most crimes reported in the United States aren’t violent. The most popular criminal acts are done without witnesses and no physical harm. The injury comes in damaged property and stolen possessions.
According to the FBI, the most reported crime in the United States is destruction, damage, or vandalism of property. Therefore, as a homeowner, you are more likely to experience property damage than any other crime.
If you want to be proactive in avoiding being the victim of a crime, be preemptive about avoiding property damage. Do what it takes to secure your home either through simple means of deterrence like putting up motion-sensing lights to installing a camera system.
When do they occur?
Criminals want to avoid getting caught as much as possible. This means taking action against their victims when the victim is not present. Breaking and entering cases happen mainly during the day from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when home occupants are off at work.
Crimes that occur during the day can be deterred by a home surveillance system. When a criminal can see they are being watched even when the occupants aren’t home, they are much less likely to risk breaking in.
Vehicle break-ins are also done when there is little chance of discovery. Thieves will often take advantage of covered places, like carports and parking garages, or will utilize the cover of night. A great way to prevent these crimes is by parking in open and lighted areas or parking under a streetlight at night.
No Longer a Victim with Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters
Criminal property damage is costly to repair. The extent of the damage can be hard to determine, and working things out with your insurance can be a nightmare. It may seem like going from being the victim of a robbery to a victim of your insurance company!
That is why we here at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters work for you, not your insurance company. Contact us now to get real help after criminal property damage.
