What is Burglary?

Even if the number of burglaries has decreased in America since the 1990s, if you have valid reasons to be concerned about break-ins, this data might not be encouraging to you. Learning more about burglaries is one of the first things you can do to better protect yourself from them.

Definition of a Burglary

Burglary is the illegal entry into a building with the intent to steal. A burglar may break into a house, a place of business, or even a piece of personal property like a car or boat. A burglary is often performed while no one is present in the building.

Burglary vs Robbery

When someone breaks into a building without permission with the intention of stealing something, they are committing a burglary. A burglary becomes a robbery if they interact with you while stealing your belongings and use intimidation or threats against you.

For instance, burglary occurs when someone enters your home while you’re away on vacation and steals your TV. However, if someone enters your home while you’re at home, steals your TV, and you catch them in the process, at which point they threaten you with a pistol, it is robbery.

Statistics on Home Invasion

• According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 1,401,840 burglaries reported nationwide in 2017. This amounts to 430.4 incidents for every 100,000 individuals.
• The FBI reports that from 2017 to 2018, the burglary rate dropped by 12.7%. This is a part of a bigger pattern that indicates a decline in burglaries since 1990.
• According to the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime, homes are the scene of 72% of burglaries. The remaining 28% take place in non-residential settings, like businesses.
• In all U.S. areas, the Midwest saw the biggest drop in burglaries between 2017 and 2018. The Midwest saw a 15.6% decrease, the Northeast a 14.9% decrease, the South a 13% decrease, and the West a 9.7% decrease.

How to Protect Yourself from Burglaries

Despite burglary statistics indicate a decline in home break-ins over the previous few decades, home invasion is still a problem in the US. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to install a home security system. The Frontpoint home alarm system is wireless and cellular, making it safer, smarter, and easier to operate than other options.

Families’ daily lives are made safer and more connected with Cove Smart. For more than a decade, we have been innovating the home security sector. And that’s only the beginning.