Only 7.8% of the total value stolen from residences was recovered. 14.8% of the total value stolen was recovered from burglaries of businesses.

The average value stolen from homes was US$1,517. The average value stolen from businesses was US$1,890.

In 13% of residential break-ins, a burglar encounters someone at home. One-third of those encounters leads to assault and one in ten leads to rape (Bureau of Justice Statistics).

Homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems (Temple University Study).

What Do Burglars Have to Say for Themselves?
Surveys were sent to 248 convicted burglars. 45 completed questionnaires came back. Here's what the burglars had to say about their own work:

Most of the respondents had burglarized a dozen or more homes. 27% of them had to break into more than 40 homes before being convicted and incarcerated in the prison system.

The majority of burglars, 51%, like to work from Midnight to 6 in the morning.

Burglars do not like to risk breaking into occupied homes. 69% say they are attracted to a building if it looks like nobody is there. 33% say they picked targets because somebody told them the home would be empty.

Locking your house does not work, according to our respondents. 84% said they break into locked houses.

Only 13% said "lots of locks" would prevent them from entering a home. Most enter through the front door.

Burglars said they don't like dogs. 44% said a barking dog would prevent them from breaking into a house or business. Another 56% suggested homeowners get a dog in order to prevent break-ins. The only deterrent that rated higher was "having people around."

Even though police consider burglary a passive, non-violent crime, 44% of our respondents told us they carry weapons while out on the job. 80% of these weapons are guns.

Why do these men and women commit this crime? 49% said the #1 reason they burglarize is to get money for drugs.

Homeowner's Tips
Keep your home and neighborhood safer by following these simple safety tips:

Leave your outside and porch lights on at night. If your neighborhood is dimly lit, ask your local authorities to add street lights or replace burnt out bulbs. When you're not at home, leave one or two lights on in different rooms inside your house.

Reliable dead bolt door locks and sturdy window latches will help prevent break-ins.

Keep the hedges next to your house trimmed at a level no higher than the window sill. Otherwise, would-be burglars will have a place to hide.

Peepholes with magnifying lenses let you see who's at your door before you open it. Never leave notes on your door, even if you're at home.

Permanently marked items make it easier for the police to trace and return stolen items. Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers work best. Keep a record of marked objects.

To give the appearance someone's home, park another car in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park there while you’re gone. This also prevents burglars from backing a van into the driveway for easy loading.

If you leave a spare key somewhere outside, be creative and be smart! In your flower pots, under welcome mats and on window ledges is where burglars will look first.

Have a neighbor collect newspapers and mail while you’re out of town. Consider hiring someone to take care of your lawn, or a house sitter for extended absences. Above all, tell your neighbors when you will leave and when you will return.

Get involved. Join your Community Watch Group. If you don't have one form one yourself. Call the police department for assistance.

Get a dog if practical. 44% of surveyed burglars say that the sound of a barking dog would stop them from breaking into a home.

Business Owner's Tips
Have all employees trained on how to push and re-set the silent hold-up button. Give all employees a "duress" code to use and be sure they know how to implement it.

Keep blinds drawn over your windows after business hours so would-be thieves can’t see anything inside your store.

Pull down locking gates that cover your windows and doors are an excellent way of protecting your business.

Make sure the neighborhood is well lit at nighttime. If there are burnt out streetlights nearby have your municipal authorities replace them. Motion sensing lights can surprise and discourage burglars too.

Installing security cameras within sight but out of harm’s way is an excellent theft deterrent as well as shoplifting deterrent.