Home Security Vulnerabilities Assessment

The majority of burglaries are crimes of opportunity.  Weak security provides burglars with an opportunity to break into homes and steal a household’s valuable possessions.  In order to apply the concepts of home security, this report will evaluate my aunt’s home in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Though her neighborhood is thought to be a relatively low-crime area, there are many vulnerabilities that I observed, particularly regarding the location of her home, the utilization of an alarm system and locks, the security of the house doors, and the landscaping.

Overview of Risk Factors in Burglaries

Overall, burglaries are one of the least common serious offenses committed in the United States next to white-collar crime.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, burglaries have dropped by 32 percent between 1990 and 2002 (Weisel, 2002, p. 1).  Burglaries only account for 18 percent of the total crimes committed in the United States, with the exception being a higher crime rate in Tennessee (2002, p. 1).  However, what makes burglaries problematic is that they are difficult to solve, and families are typically unable to recover their stolen items (2002, p. 1).  Thus, it is important to practice sound prevention methods to prevent a burglary before it takes place.

There are several key factors that contribute to the likelihood of a home being burglarized.  First, homes that are in neighborhoods near youth, drug addicts, or shopping mall are at higher risk of being burglarized (2002, p.6).  Second, a home lacking a combination of security devices is at increased risk of being targeted by burglars.  Research shows that homes that possess at least two security measures, such as an alarm, lighting, or window bars are less likely to be visited by burglars (2002, p. 13).  Also, signs of vacancies, such as an unkempt lawn or an accumulation of mail can signal to burglars that a home is vacant (2011, p. 1).   In order to increase home security, all of these vulnerabilities must be detected and eliminated to remove the opportunity for a burglary to take place.

Vulnerability Assessment

For this assessment, I evaluated my aunt’s one-story ranch style home in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is a small city that is home to the Colorado State University campus.  The presence of youth and past criminal offenders in a neighborhood are two risk factors that contribute to increased incidents of burglary in a neighborhood (Weisel, 2002, p. 6).  Along with its college population, the neighborhood is located in close proximity to two middle schools and one high school.  Further, because Fort Collins is a small-sized city, the home is within a short driving distance from several correctional facilities, including a halfway house. Thus, the presence of these factors in the neighborhood increases the likelihood that my aunt’s house will be a target for burglars.

Second, the Fort Collins house lacked a security system and locks.  While a security system and locks present two separate vulnerabilities, they can work in combination to prevent thefts.  Often, locks deter or impede the activities of experienced burglars who may attempt to bypass security systems (2002, p. 13).  Further, it is agreed that dead bolts and window locks in combination with a security alarm system significantly decrease the ability of a burglar to gain entry to a home (2002, p. 13).  In assessing the Fort Collins home, there was no alarm system and the locks on the doors were inadequate for preventing a burglary.  The lock to the backdoor was inoperable and the front door lacked a deadbolt.  These weaknesses make it easier for a burglar to gain entry into the home.

Similarly, the quality of the doors on the Fort Collins house presented a security problem.  As the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement notes, homes with weak entry points that are made from low-quality materials have a decreased chance of being broken into (2011, p. 4).  While the front door on the Fort Collins house was new and the windows had recently been upgraded, the backdoors to the home were in poor condition.  The rear garage door lacked a handle and could be opened by pushing the door open.  Further, the metal closures on the back sliding glass door were warped and could easily be broken or bent with a crow bar.  This vulnerability made entrance through the garage door or the back sliding glass door possible.

Finally, the maintenance of the lawn in front of the home presented a security threat.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 60 percent of burglaries occur in the daytime when the occupants are not home (2011, p. 4).  As the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement noted, burglars are most likely to attempt to burglarize a house when the house is vacant (2011, p. 1).  The front lawn has not been recently mowed, is growing tall weeds, and gives the appearance that an owner has not cared for it.  The condition of the laws may give burglars the impression that the home is vacant, increasing the risk for burglary.

Conclusion

Because burglars commit their crimes during the day when it is least expected, it is important to be proactive in preventing burglaries.  Homeowners who are away for work may become victims of burglary for making a minor omission in security.  As my assessment revealed, even small weaknesses in security can provide an opportunity for burglars to target a home.  When securing the home, it important to assess the neighborhood for potential risk and upgrade any weaknesses in maintenance or gaps in the use of home security devices that can increase the risk of burglary.

References

Residential burglary prevention. (2011). City of Portland, Office of Neighborhood Involvement. Retrieved from www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/3314

Weisel, D.L. (2002). Burglary of single-family homes. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/e07021611.pdf