Continuing, the report states that “U.S. burglaries of single family houses have dropped in recent years which is attributed to a more robust economy, increased use of security devices, etc. There was an estimated 1.4 million residential burglaries in 1999.” The report further states that "possibly up to 50% of residential burglaries go unreported....Burglary remains the second most serious crime in the USA, accounting for 18% of all serious crime. Most burglary investigations - about 65% - do not produce any information or evidence about the crime, making burglaries difficult to solve." Burglaries cause substantial financial loss along with serious psychological harm to the victim(s) since most property is never recovered.”



COPS ( Community Oriented Policing 800-421-6770) have learned from worldwide research of the burglary issue that about 60% of reported burglaries happen during the day. And, some studies suggest the likely hours for home invasion will be between 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

COPS advise that burglars choose their robbery victims based on several factors which often interact with one another and may include the following:

• occupancy

• visibility or ability to surveil

• accessibility and lack of security guards

• vulnerability and lack of security alarms

• potential rewards of the crime

Home Security can begin with the construction and location of your home and the security alarm and security surveillance devices you purchase to prevent home invasion. The actual construction of your home and local permitting provisions could bolster your home security before you move in. Make sure that home builders do not use low quality security hardware and building materials that would accommodate easier home entry. Forced entry provisions added to local building codes can be used to improve window and door alarm security at a relatively low cost. Although modifying building codes can be a difficult task, some of the security alarm products for your home which may not be restricted can range from battery operated voice alerts, door alarms and window alarms, motion alerts, covert hidden cameras and nanny cams to a complete digital video and audio surveillance system.

Two studies of a "Secured by Design" strategy, as utilized in some United Kingdom communities, have shown to reduce burglary. The design begins with architects and builders who have included in their community designs the techniques of controlling the access of traffic to your home by building on cul-de-sacs which would maximize the opportunity for visual surveillance by neighbors through their strategically placed windows and doors. Additional home security can be gained with limited access to your home through site layout with the examples of gates in alleys (approval of which can be challenging in certain jurisdictions) and home construction with door alarms, window alarms, bullet cameras, surveillance cameras with day/night infrared technology, good locks and upgraded building products.

Although the visual surveillance by neighbors in heavily populated condominium and apartment communities would seem to assure more security, the layout of the entire property is often designed for appealing unobstructed views and privacy at entrances. The home invasion vulnerability in these locations can be largely reduced with security products which do not require additional wiring. Protection can be easily gained with battery operated door alarms, window alarms, motion detectors, hidden cameras, etc.

The next generation VISEC surveillance software is always a terrific security consideration. After Five Minutes or Less program installation your computer has the capability of a powerful global-wide surveillance system that can alert by email, cell phone or PDA when motion is detected, record up to four cameras at once, enable you to view on the internet from anywhere in the world current camera activity from wherever you installed them.

After a home or office have been burglarized and the incredible losses have been calculated, COPS state that the residents and business owners are very motivated to secure their property and comply with the crime prevention advice of their local Authorities in order to help prevent being a target of multiple invasions:

• Increase Police Patrols

• Increase Neighborhood Watch Programs

• Installing Mock Occupancy Devices

• Installing audible and dummy alarms

• Installing temporary silent alarms

• Increasing outdoor lighting

• Repair and secure break-in points

• Posting Window or Door Stickers of participation in Neighborhood Watch