BURGLARY 101:

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), burglary is "defined as unlawful or forcible entry or attempted entry of a residence." The BJS categorizes burglary into four types:  

A completed burglary occurs when the perpetrator successfully enters a structure with or without force, where he/she has no legal right. Forcible entry is when the perpetrator forcefully enters another’s property. Unlawful entry without force takes place when someone illegally enters a structure that they have no right to enter. Lastly, attempted forcible entry is when a perpetrator tries to forcibly and illegally enter a residence or place of business.  

Each year, the FBI, in collaboration with over 20,000 law enforcement agencies, conducts a study on burglary statistics to track trends in criminal activity. While the 2018 report isn’t finalized, the key points from the 2017 report provide valuable insights:  

In 2017, there were 1.4 million reported burglaries, a drop of nearly 8% from the previous year. An estimated 58% of these incidents involved forcible entry, and victims reported almost $3.5 billion in property losses, with an average monetary loss of $2,400 per victim. Residential properties accounted for nearly 67% of all reported burglaries. On average, a burglary occurs every 13 seconds, with 65% of home invasions taking place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., when homeowners are likely to be away. Alarmingly, only 13% of burglary cases get solved, and the most common methods of forcibly entering a home include accessing unlocked doors, kicking in doors, or picking locks.  

The average burglary lasts just 8-10 minutes—an incredibly short time in which someone can lose thousands of dollars in valuables. The emotional impact of a home invasion is profound, causing feelings of violation and a loss of safety in one’s own home.  

Homes without security systems are reported to be 300% more likely to experience burglary, yet only about 15% of homes in the United States have security systems. This leaves the majority of homeowners vulnerable to victimization. To enhance home invasion prevention, consider adding products like DOOR ARMOR, which prevents a burglar from easily kicking in your door, regardless of whether you have a security system. When asked, many perpetrators acknowledge that deadbolt locks and alarms serve as significant deterrents.  

Your home should be the safe oasis you desire and deserve. Understanding the facts surrounding burglary and home invasion prevention can empower you to make informed decisions that allow you to sleep soundly at night and enjoy peace of mind when you’re away.