Burglary Prevention

Residential/Business Security Surveys

The Shorewood Crime Prevention Officer conducts a walk-through of your home or business to identify areas of security concern. A written report outlines areas for security recommendations. If you would like a survey of your home or business to identify areas of security concern, please contact the Shorewood Police Department at 414-847-2610 Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

When Burglaries Occur the Most

By far, the most common threat to our homes is burglary. According to the FBI, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds. By definition, the crime of burglary is a non-confrontational property crime that occurs when we are not at home. However, becoming a burglary victim can leave a family feeling vulnerable and violated. To avoid becoming a burglary victim, it is important to first gain an understanding of who commits them and why.

The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are away at work or school. The summer months of July and August, and the holiday season months of November and December, have the most burglaries with February having the fewest crimes. Burglaries are committed most often by young males under 25 years of age looking for items that are small, expensive, and can easily be converted to cash.

Favorite items are cash, jewelry, guns, watches, laptop computers, flat screen TVs, DVD players, CDs and other small electronic devices are high on the list. Quick cash is needed for living expenses and drugs. Statistics tell us that 70% of the burglars use some amount force to enter a dwelling, but their preference is to gain easy access through an open door or window. Ordinary household tools like screwdrivers, channel-lock pliers, small pry bars, and small hammers are most often used by burglars. Burglars continue to flourish because police can only clear about 13% of all reported burglaries and rarely catch the thief in the act.

The Burglar's Selection Process

Although home burglaries may seem random in occurrence, they actually involve a selection process. The burglar's selection process is simple. Choose an unoccupied home with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes. The following is a list of suggestions to minimize your risk by making your home unattractive to potential burglars: