Learn the Signs Your Home is Being Cased
Burglars look for “soft” targets to commit their crimes – homes without security systems in place or especially during holidays and usually vacation times.
In general, burglary rates decreased during the pandemic when people were sheltered at home. With the trend of flexible schedules and the work-from-home model, the downward trend continues.
This doesn’t mean home burglaries no longer occurs. The Rapid Group continues to advocate for a home security system of some kind with well-placed video cameras in sight from the street. This is a good first deterrent for burglars and tells them you’ve taken security measures to protect your home.
Did you know that burglars use codes or leave symbols that demarcate different information about opportunity for crime?
Burglar Code
Where to Look
Look for markings from your curb and sidewalk or property line, to your front door and porch. Look on fences, trash bins or nearby city property like street light posts, hydrants or street signs.
Markings to Look For
Burglars make markings with chalk or scratches in softer surfaces. Sometimes they’ll use innocent-looking stickers. Look for anything unusual that you, yourself did not leave to put on your property.
What to Look for and What Does It Mean?
- A barred circle: This home is a hard target – it has home security systems and/or a dog or other form of security
- Circles: The home is an easy target without a security system.
- Cross: The home’s occupants are religious and speak to canvassers.
- Triangle: This symbolizes a vulnerable victim, such as a single woman or elderly residents.
- Two barred waves: The occupant, usually mail, will usually respond to women.
- Letter codes: Denote when a home is mostly likely to be unoccupied: M for morning and N for night.
Should you notice any symbols like these or any suspicious drawings you didn’t put there, take photos and then remove them. Alert your neighbors, property manager or home owners association and send the images so people will know what to look for. These symbols could indicate burglars have been in your area casing homes. You may also want to alert your local police department, however, their response will probably be limited without an actual crime.
If your property or neighborhood has private security patrol, alert them too and send the images you took.
What Next?
After alerting your neighbors, removing the symbols, stay vigilant for new markings, people and/or cars you don’t recognize, especially at odd hours of the day.
Consider updating or installing a video doorbells, video cameras and motion-detection lights or a comprehensive home security system. Improving your home security decreases your chances from you and your home becoming victim to burglary or other crime.
How Criminals Case Homes
Burglars try to get as close to your home as possible to see whether your home is an easy target – or one they should avoid. Sometimes they’re in cars, sometimes out walking (or walking with a dog or stroller, which helps a slower pace to make observations). They may make several loops around your neighborhood or appear at different times of the day on different days.
Burglars often use these tactics to gather information about your home security:
➤ Check your social media to find out any information they can – with LinkedIn they can find out where you work and possibly your work schedule; if you post vacation photos while you’re away, they’ll know you’re home is probably not occupied; posting photos of your pets lets them know whether you have a dog.
➤ Check if your home’s mailbox – if several days worth of mail is there, they may assume you’re away for a while.
➤ Park on streets and observe which homes have lights on and off and at what time people leave and return.
➤ Pretend to be a solicitor (landscaping service or plumbing sales) to gain very close access to your house. When you answer the door, they can get a peak into your home.
➤ Take walks around the neighborhood, which gives them a good idea of the comings and goings of you and your neighbors.
➤ While walking by, observe the door and window positions to assess which are good entry points.
➤ They’ll also note whether you have visible security cameras, doorbell cameras, motion detection equipment or other home security system devices.
Rapid International Offers Community Solutions
Safety, Community, Together. Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, prioritizing neighborhood-based security in collaboration with your community. Rapid’s management has extensive experience in the security industry and in each city, we build partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency service agencies. Together with community members, we work to make people and communities safe and secure.
Please get in touch to learn about our community-level security program – we believe the strength of collaboration and partnership make neighborhoods safer for everyone. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.
There’s nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home.
Rosalynn Carter
IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.