Home Security Tips & Houston Crime

In the fourth largest city in the United States, crime is inevitable.  And the influx of evacuees to Houston following Hurricane Katrina sparked an increase in crime in suburbs around the city.  While many neighborhoods have increased neighborhood security – hiring off duty officers and local constable patrol – no one can protect a home 24/7, except a home security system. 

Installing a system that suits your needs is the first step to deterring crime in your home. There are other things that can also help reduce the likelihood of a neighborhood becoming a target for criminals.

Quick Crime Facts

Security Tips

Adequate Lighting

Ensuring that there is sufficient street lighting as well as outdoor lighting surrounding a home and area business is important in presenting an unattractive target for criminals.  Areas most likely to be burglarized are those where lighting and overall visibility are poor.

Removing Overgrowth

Keeping hedges and other vegetation around points of entry into a home or business (windows, doors, garage) low deters burglars, who otherwise rely on an obstructed view.  Overgrowth around points of entry provide a save cover behind which a burglar can work at ease to gain entry.  Protection should be a higher priority than privacy.

Concealing Garbage Contents

Law enforcement officials report that there’s little more telling of a family than the contents of their garbage.  And for many neighborhoods, this open book to a resident’s life and the contents of their home is sitting curbside twice a week.  By compressing and concealing in cans or bags the boxes of items purchased for the home, residents conceal from both burglars and predators many revealing facts about the family.  Aside from valuable electronics contained within, the age and gender of children also becomes evident by the items left for garbage pickup – if not concealed. 

Keeping Garage Doors Closed

An alarming number of criminal “scouts” hit the streets everyday assessing the vulnerability of a home or business.  They are also trying to assess the risk of a burglary verses the value it would yield – and nothing helps them more in this assessment than an open garage door.  The contents of a garage are as telling, if not more so, than the contents of garbage - clearly depicting consumption habits, lifestyle and family profile.  From the bikes and scooters of young children, to power tools, motorcycles and vehicle make and model, an open garage door is an open invitation.  Keeping garage doors closed removes one provocation and keeps a property in the “general” rather than “interesting” category in the mind of a criminal.

Neighborhood Watch Program

The effectiveness of community awareness as a deterrent to crime should not be underestimated.  When an active neighborhood takes notice of suspicious vehicles or activity, it develops a reputation as an “alert” community and becomes less desirable to a criminal than an area more ambivalent.  While Neighborhood Watch signs can be instrumental in warning potential burglars of this effort, they are not necessary to communicate the residents’ commitment.

Vacation Precautions

Before leaving for vacation, there are a few things a homeowner can do to reduce the vulnerability of a vacant home.  Place a hold on mail and paper delivery, or arrange for a neighbor to secure them – avoiding accumulation and primary indicator of temporary vacancy.  Asking neighbors to also retrieve the solicitation left on or at the front door is also a good idea.  Rather than leaving certain outdoor lights on continuously, place them on a timer or install indicators prompting them on as it grows dark.

Some neighborhoods paying for additional patrol service from area police may also have access to a Vacation Patrol service they provide.  A resident simply informs the officers responsible for their neighborhood that they’ll be on vacation and would like to activate the vacation patrol.

Secure Locks

Not only are some types of window and door locks more secure, they also qualify homeowners for a discount from homeowner insurance providers.  Check with your insurance provider to find out which locking system qualifies you for a discount and offers increased protection.

Closing Drapes or Blinds at Night

Oftentimes potential burglars drive through neighborhoods at dusk in order to get a better view into a home.  The entire contents of a home are more visible when illuminated at night and provide the perfect display for a criminal out “window-shopping.”  Keeping drapes and blinds closed after dark conceals both the layout of a home and its valuable contents