Burglars often use subtle and easily overlooked methods to mark houses they intend to target, for example, placing small, inconspicuous items like stones, sticks, or pieces of string near the property. They might also use chalk marks, paint, or stickers on mailboxes, fences, or street signs.
Signs of someone targeting your house include repeated surveillance, unusual markings, strangers loitering, or suspicious behavior around your property..
Criminals often use hidden markings to tip off others about houses they're planning to rob. These signs give information about the house and how easy it would be to break in.
Here are some of the top things burglars look for when targeting homes. Single-family detached homes in the middle of the neighborhood (as opposed to corner units, which are less likely to be burglarized). Homes next to empty lots or without nearby neighbors. High privacy hedges, bushes, and walls around the property.
Survey pins are markers that builders use to mark the boundaries of a plot of land. They're intended to remain in the ground long after construction is completed to provide a long-term reminder of the property lines.
From a burglar's perspective, smart doorbells like Ring devices can be seen as an opportunity rather than a deterrent. Burglars are aware of the video surveillance capabilities and may take measures to avoid detection, such as wearing a disguise.
Less is more when it comes to using lights to deter burglars, it turns out. If you use smart lighting functionality through your home security system to make it seem as though someone is home, this may deter a burglar. If you simply leave your lights on all day and all night, you could do the opposite.
Robberies happen in both daytime and nighttime. It depends upon the location, situation, human activity around the target, and the area of interest where the burglars want to strike. Specific hours of robberies usually fall between 9 p.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Stones near doorways: Has an odd pebble been placed near your front door? It could be a sign your home is vulnerable. Stickers on bins: Who checks the rubbish bins that they leave out in their front gardens? Some burglars do…
What are the chances of a repeat burglary? In fact, the chance of a burglar coming back is very high, and as many as one out of every three house burglary victims is a repeat victim. Unlucky victims even have an eight percent chance of being burgled two or more times again.
Your pet may be urine-marking if:
The amount of urine is small and is found primarily on vertical surfaces. Dogs and cats do sometimes mark on horizontal surfaces. Leg-lifting and spraying are common versions of urine-marking, but even if your pet doesn't assume these postures, he may still be urine-marking.
Strange Markings around the House
A ring of professional burglars marks potential targets while canvassing your neighborhood by using seeming random signs, in which they tell their members whether or not the houses are easy targets. If you see these signs near your door, call the police.
Spikes, thorns and electric fences are a great way to secure your garden and prevent potential burglars from climbing your walls. Burglars won't want to get hurt when attempting a break-in, for fear of cutting themselves or leaving clothes or DNA behind.
Leave Your Radio and TV On. A loud radio or TV on can be an even better deterrent than an alarm (learn more burglar deterrent gadgets here )to prevent burglars and bandits from breaking into your home.
Burglars are less likely to gain entry when a house has two or more security devices (including window locks, dead bolts, security lights, and alarms). 42 Studies of offenders show that burglars may avoid houses with good locks, burglar bars or other security devices.
MOTION LIGHTING
Motion lights are lights that will turn on when any motion is detected within its range. Motion lights are great crime deterrents because they give the illusion that someone is watching when criminals are prowling around your house.
“If the fence was built and they didn't get a survey, they built it where they thought the line would be” rather than where it actually is, Stanley says. If you're looking for clues as to where your property might start and end, streetlights or telephone poles at the road are commonly placed on property lines.
Plat: Also known as a plot plan, a plat survey is about $350 to $600 per lot. Property owners get this survey type when planning to subdivide or consolidate lots. The new plot plan defines the boundaries of the new lots to update the official record. Topographic: A topographic survey may cost around $500 to $1,200.