Burglaries May Increase in 2020

08-13-2020

According to the FBI, in 2017, there were over 1.4 million burglaries in the USA. While that number was down from 2016 (down 7.6%)  and 2013 (down 27.4%), I think we can all agree that 2020 is likely to show an increase.

Will 2020 see an upswing in burglaries?

This is a good question. On the one hand, with rampant unemployment hitting record levels (according to Pew), there will be more people who are desperate enough to consider burglary or other crimes as a way to boost income. I mean, if you had to choose between not feeding your children and stealing from a neighbor, which would you choose? You and I would likely go to a food bank or seek out SNAP assistance in order to avoid the whole dilemma, but some people may not qualify for help, and others may not have access to a food bank. Some people may be more inclined to steal for a living or feel that they have no other choice, might just take a shot at becoming a burglar.

Traditionally, we think that higher unemployment correlates with higher crime rates (Wiley).

On the other hand, most of us are staying home more often than we used to. Fewer of us are traveling and taking vacations because many vacation destinations are closed or operating in what looks like an unsafe manner with respect to the virus. A large number of people have switched, at least temporarily, to working from home. People who consider themselves high-risk for catching the viral disease are remaining as isolated at home as they can. If we’re home all the time, there’s less opportunity for a burglar to break in and steal things without being caught. 

Of course, most of us have to work, and many still work someplace other than home, so there is still an opportunity for burglars to break in and swipe stuff that doesn’t belong to them. This begs the following question

Can we do anything to prevent burglaries?

Yes. Of course, we can. In addition to good reliable locks on your doors and windows, you can install a home security system. Complete with security cameras and motion detectors and the usual sensors that detect when a door or window opens, you can get a fancy new high-tech system that connects wirelessly to your home automation system, like Alexa or Google Home. This kind of burglar alarm will do more than just blast an obnoxiously loud noise when it detects a burglary in progress. It can also send you text or email alerts allowing you to check on what’s happening at home by logging into your security cameras from your phone. If it’s a crime in progress, you call the cops and get them busted, or you shut off the false alarm caused by your cat leaping in front of the motion detector and go back to work.

We always recommend that you have professionals with years of experience install the home security system because who has time to do it yourself and then do it again because you didn’t do it right the first time? Not me!

I’m visiting Affordable Home Security right away and letting them connect me with the best home security solution. I’ll have a new system installed correctly in no time.