The family was asleep. The accused entered the house in Tampa, robbed the resident, took the money, and fled. Tampa police are searching for a man accused of breaking into a home on Saturday morning and robbing a resident.
The suspect entered a private residence at 3 a.m. while a family was sleeping inside, police said.
Upon entering the house, the suspect entered a room and demanded money from a resident before fleeing with the stolen money. We frequently hear of this type of incident.
From largest to smallest in the United States, Tampa’s crime rate is much higher than the national average for all communities. However, with 22 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, it is not one of the highest crime rates in the community. Tampa has a 1 in 46 chance of being a victim of violence and property crime.
According to FBI crime data, Tampa is not one of the safest communities in the United States. Compared to Florida, Tampa has a crime rate of over 67% in all states and cities.
Next, let’s take a look at the violent crimes of Tampa and the United States.
Violent crime increased in Tampa in the first five months of 2020. Experts believe that the COVID-19 epidemic spreads rapidly, especially in densely populated areas where gang violence is an issue. So the security of homes, businesses, and cars is Tampa citizens’ major concern.
Increasing the crime rate in Tampa shows that law and enforcement agencies are not doing their job efficiently. That’s why it’s imperative to do something to enhance the security of our loved ones and assets. Locksmiths can help you to update the security of your premises. Let’s look at how you can prevent your property from burglary, theft, and intruders.
Ways to Prevent Home Break-ins
1. Closing the door on thief’s
All doors in the house, whether hollow metal or solid wood, should be heavy and at least 1-3 / 4 inches thick. Thin or damaged doors must be replaced.
If you love a wooden door, it must be made up of oak or other hardwood with reinforced panels. Otherwise, it is advisable to prefer a hollow metal door.
The aesthetic and secure home door can be expensive for the homeowner. Even the owner can’t recover the cost when the home is sold. However, these doors provide high security and deterring theft. That itself is worth the price of your door and lock.
2. Install Quality Deadbolt
Installing a high-security deadbolt on the front door can make your home safer. Most owners lock the bottom lock (lock seat) and ignore the top lock (deadbolt). Thieves know this and often rely on the fact that the deadbolt is not closed. According to statistics, about half of the residential deadbolt locks are used on a daily basis. It works on one of the four residences and uses a deadbolt lock.
Dead Bolt increases the chances of visible obstruction. Thieves don’t like it and prefer to go somewhere else. So it becomes clear that whether you lock or unlock a deadbolt door, your door is safe.
3. Enhance Window security
Windows are also an ideal entry point for burglars. Replace your older window with modern window kits having heavy-duty latches and double work.
Your window security should be visible from the exterior. It must clearly message burglars that their entry will be no picnic.
Now modern windows are visibly attractive and secure. Moreover, superior insulation and noise abatement are also part of its feature.
4. Sliding Glass Door
Sliding glass doors often entice thieves, especially those that slide outside and can be removed from the exterior side.
“External slider” is very difficult to save. Locksmiths want to install a complex lock designed to secure the “external slider,” but it is against the purpose of the “telegraphy” that it is a door that cannot be opened.
Change the “outside sliders” and prevent the thief from coming close enough to test the door.
The thief is familiar with the locks on the glass doors. In most cases, it’s easy to open even if it’s locked. Many types of sliding glass door locks are available in the market. Choose the best ones that can be seen from the outside.
5. Roof Access
The only way to enter the house is through the doors or windows. Today’s thieves get in by removing the roofing material and climbing on the roofing material.
All climbing-aids or ladders should be removed from the building, especially in two-story houses. Doors leading from the balconies to the homes must have latches. Also, make sure that all roof parts are visible from the street and the houses next door.
6. Lighting
Lighting is important. Most thefts occur during the day, but most robberies at home occur at night. Motion-controlled outdoor lighting is key to reducing nighttime opportunities.
Homeowners often underestimate the potential for thieves. The backyard gate should be secured with a deadbolt or padlock.
Generally, all brushes, bushes, and wood that obstruct the view of gates, doors, and windows should be cut.
In addition to strengthening housing and external parcels, homeowners need to appear more occupied.
One of the best ideas to reduce theft is a loud barking dog. Size doesn’t matter. Yes, attitude! A barking dog in the house prevents potential thieves.
When a thief is seen, he is vulnerable. Bright lights and barking dogs are not what he wants.
7. Increase the chance of getting caught
When the opportunity reduction has failed, the backup plan raises the thief’s chances of being caught.
Locksmiths can help you to make a good plan to deter theft. They may “Beef up” the proper installation of high-security locks and hardware.
Large, tightened screws and bolts can greatly strengthen a typical installation. Special preparation can delay the thief’s entry.
For doors that open inward, you need to remove at least one screw on each hinge and replace it with a 2 “or 3” screw in the same way.
This prevents kick-ins from the hinge side of the door. A thief who specializes in this will be a little surprised if the hinge is not released after a few kicks.
Doors that open outwards must have a non-removable pin hinge. Otherwise, attach the stud between a door and jamb. It prevents the door from being lifted off the side jamb cover.
The upper rails can be attached to windows (and sliding doors) to prevent them from being lifted and removed.
Besides, you must install Indoor lighting controls to provide random light activation. Some have built-in motion detectors that can catch robs by surprise. Here’re some more effective ways to increase the chance of catching thieves:
- Strengthen strike plates and jam.
- Install screws in the upper channels of windows.
- Install indoor lights with motion sensors.
- Set the home alarm with a loud alarm sounder.
- Install video cameras and secure recording media.
- Employ private supervision.
- Report suspicious behavior.
8. Install an Alarm
Nothing says “get out quickly,” like turning on a loud alarm. The best alarm equipment in the house is connected to the house lights and sirens. They do light shows until they reset.
Loud external and internal sirens significantly reduce burglary time in the home.
The warning is difficult because false alarms must be limited. Too many false alarms, and neighbors stop paying attention. Many societies have laws that limit misinformation.
Neighborhood gazes are a great barrier. Nothing can stop a thief from moving the window’s curtain next to the target house.
Indoor and outdoor cameras are great for catching thieves. Make sure the recording medium is secure or sent to a remote location.
When trying to reduce the chance of a theft, the locksmith must add visible deterrents. The opposite occurs when the locksmith prepares deterrents to increase the risk of being caught. The best idea is to steal seconds from the thief. Enough “penalty” time, and the thief must leave or risk being caught.
9. Limiting the Rewards
The worst situation is when the house is broken into, and the thief is given a rich reward. There will be another attempt.
Locksmiths need to convince their customers, especially those who have become burglary victims, to separate their valuables.
Use safe, vault, and strong boxes to secure your precious assets.
Safe and secure lighting should also be sufficient to move or rotate the building’s infrastructure.
Locksmiths know that drilled and tapped security lag bolts in concrete do not prevent a safe from being removed. It is very easy to drag lag bolts from concrete.
A better way is to cut a piece of concrete. Attach a steel plate (where the bolts will be attached) and fill the space with hard concrete.
Fasten security compartments to walls/floors, and marking or engraving identification onto valuables can also limit the chance of rewards.
10. Limit the chance of a second try
No matter how low the “take” or the effort fails, it is crucial to identify the police. Sometimes the landlord does not do it.
During late night’s break-in repair, a locksmith told police the break-in was done with a special private bar that left distinct marks. He handed it over to investigating police. Due to this, the thief was randomly caught that night and had the same pre-bar in the car’s trunk.
As a wise homeowner, you must ask a locksmith for a comprehensive security inspection. Take the following steps to limit the second chance of robbery:
- Report any theft attempts to the police.
- Tell neighbors what’s going on.
- Fortify the house well with security equipment.
- Keep the house busy at all times.
Final Thought
If you come home after a long holiday and find that your home has been invaded or that your property has suspicious activity, do not enter. Call 911 and wait for the police to arrive.
Besides, you must also hire the services of a professional Locksmith in Tampa to update the security system of your premises.
