What makes a good robbery target
Robbers first decide how easy a target a given neighbourhood is by looking at ease of access , escape routes and lack of visible neighbourhood security . Then they evaluate the specific property . If your house has no security , is easily accessible from the street and offers an easy getaway route , then you ’ re more likely to fall victim . It ’ s a balancing act – risk vs reward .
Next , they check out the reward part . If it ’ s obvious from the exterior of your house , your car , and your clothes and jewellery that you are rich , and that you spend lots of money on durable and desirable goodies , you are more likely to be a target . Thieves also often target owners of small businesses or market traders who are likely to have lots of cash in the house the day before payday or the day after a market . But even people who aren ’ t particularly affluent are wealthy in relative terms : if you live in a house with a roof , and you drive a car with wheels , you ’ re rich .
Decreasing desirability
You ’ re not likely to want to swap your car for a clapped-out rustbucket 1985 Beetle , and it ’ s probably not worth filling your garden with dead refrigerators and scrap metal just to create an impression of indigence – besides , the body corporate may have a word or two to say about that . But be sensible . If you do need to handle large amounts of cash , don ’ t be obvious about it , and don ’ t leave expensive gadgets in full view . However , even if you take these precautions , it ’ s still going to be pretty obvious that you ’ re relatively affluent , so it ’ s best to ensure you have adequate security .
Increasing security
There are any number of security measures on the market , but Zinn ’ s research did come up with some very interesting propositions . The two most effective deterrents are dogs and neighbours – but not just any dogs and neighbours . Burglars don ’ t like neighbourhoods where there is a strong sense of community , with initiatives like neighbourhood watches and community policing forums . And – here ’ s a surprising one – keeping a rottweiler or a pit bull in the backyard is not nearly as effective as a couple of yorkies or dachshunds parking off on the couch , or sleeping in their designer pet-beds . The ideal is a combination of two little dogs and one bigger , slightly scary one , all inside the house . Dogs outside the house are not that much of a deterrent – even if they ’ re big – as they can easily be dealt with ( further content censored for sensitive viewers ). Dogs inside the house act as an early warning system by making a noise – and they can ’ t be silenced from outside . And early warning is what it ’ s all about . Perimeter security is really important .
Burglars like to know when people are around so they can break into an empty house . Disconcertingly , house robbers also often choose to break in when people are at home . But they like to know where everyone in the house is at any given time . So drawing your curtains as soon as it gets dark is a simple but very effective security measure . And , for the same reason , high walls that people can ’ t see through also prevent robbers from monitoring your movements . The downside , though , is that once over the wall , they are also hidden from the street and from neighbours – and then they can monitor you from the seclusion of your darkened garden . The robbers Zinn interviewed agreed that high palisade fencing and curtains are probably the best combination . Spikes and electric fencing also help , but can be circumvented .
Also be aware of what is going on around you , day by day . Most robbers scope out a potential victim for anything from a few hours to a few weeks , or even months if the rewards seem promising .
Burglar alarms are a great idea , particularly if connected to exterior beams . It really is so much better to be aware of intruders before they enter your house . For this reason as well , door and window sensors are more useful than interior motion sensors . Of course , armed response is another worthwhile deterrent . Remember , an alarm only protects you when it ’ s switched on . Many people only arm their alarms at bedtime , but the robbers told Zinn that one of the best times to hit a home is before that , when people are relaxed watching TV . The sound masks any noises the intruders make , the residents are distracted – and the alarm isn ’ t on .