When it comes to home security, knowledge is power. We explore what motivates the typical burglar, what they take, and how they choose a target so you can better understand how to protect your home and family.
For more information on burglaries, home security, and home safety visit https://www.alarmsystemreviews.com
2. Common Traits Of BurglarsUNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
53%37%
10%
Primary Reason For Burglary
Acquire Drugs Financial Gain Other
64%
49%
35%
17%
5%
Drugs Living
Expenses
Partying Clothes/Shoes Gifts Gambling
What Burglaries Funded
3. Common Traits Of Burglars (cont.)UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
Seasoned Offenders
Most burglars have a history of criminal behavior
12.9 Average # of Prior Arrests
23.6 Mean Age of First Arrest
21.8 Age of First burglary
Involved In Other Criminal Activity
other types of crimes sampled burglars committed
54% Other Burglaries/ Break-Ins
12% Robbery
8% Homicide
7% Assault
Getting caught does NOT change the activity of those surveyed
4. What Burglars Take
26%
22%
19%
18%
15%
Most Stolen Items In Burglaries
Cash
Jewelry
Illegal Drugs
Electronics
Prescription Drugs
UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
5. What Burglars Do With Stolen GoodsUNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
• 65% of Burglars dispose of the goods immediately
• If not immediately disposed, burglars typically hide goods in:
• friend’s homes
• storage units or empty buildings
• vacant houses
• Most sell the items to strangers, pawn shops or second-hand dealers, or
friends
• Some sell items online, at auctions or to family members
• Occasionally burglars reported trading the items directly for drugs
6. How Burglars Choose A Target
• At Random: Less than 1/3 of burglars scout a home beforehand
• Far From Home: Some travel up to 250 miles from their home to commit the
crime in an effort to minimize identification and capture
• 62.3 % Required use of a vehicle
• 33.5% Used Their Own
• 9.2% Use A Family Members
• 22% Use A Friend
• 12.5% Stolen vehicle
UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
7. How Burglars Choose A Target: Planning
When It Comes To Planning A Burglary
• 12% indicated that they typically planned the burglary,
• 41% were spur of the moment decisions
• 37% varied between planned and unplanned thefts
• 25% reported they work alone
• 25% reported they worked with others
• 12.5% worked with family members
Timing
• 49% committed burglary within 1 day of planning
• 16% within 1 – 3 days
UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
8. How Burglars Choose A Target: Deterrents
Biggest Deterrents To Burglary
• Home Security
• Proximity of other people (traffic,
active neighborhood, police presence)
• Lack of easy escape
• Dog
• Outdoor cameras
UNC Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – 2012 Report
UNDERSTANDING DECISIONS TO BURGLARIZE FROM THE OFFENDER’S PERSPECTIVE
Deterrents By The Numbers
• 60% of burglars indicate seeing an alarm
system would make them select new target
• 83% of burglars attempt to determine if the
home has a security system in place.
• 50% discontinue attempt when detecting a
security system
9. Sources & More
Where We Got Our Statistics & Helpful Resources To Keep You Safe
Sources
1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Department of Criminal Justice and
Criminology Survey & Final Report:
“Understanding Decisions To Burglarize From
The Offender’s Perspective”, 2012
2. https://www.alarmsystemreviews.com/
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• More information on burglaries