Why Some Homes Get Broken Into — and Others Don’t

Every burglar is looking for the same thing: an easy target.

They are not usually looking for the richest house. They are not usually looking for the biggest house. And they are rarely looking for a fight. What they want is a house that looks quiet, predictable, and vulnerable — a place where they can get in quickly and get out before anyone notices.

Most people believe break-ins happen randomly. They imagine criminals wandering the streets and picking a house at random. But that is not how most burglaries work. In reality, many criminals study neighborhoods first, watching patterns, noticing which houses are empty, and identifying which homes have little or no security. They are looking for what professionals call the path of least resistance — the easiest way to succeed with the least risk.

If your house looks easier than your neighbor’s house, you are more likely to be chosen.

That may sound alarming, but it also means something incredibly important:
You can reduce your risk dramatically by making your home a harder target.

Burglars tend to avoid homes that look protected. Visible cameras, alarm signs, lights, and strong doors send a simple message: this house is not worth the risk. Criminals often move on and look for a weaker target instead.

This book is about becoming that house — the house burglars skip.