There is a trend across the nation of Organized Theft Groups targeting business owners’ homes for burglaries. These criminal groups have become sophisticated at setting up surveillance to determine routines and strike the personal homes of business owners they believe have large amounts of cash or other goods (jewelry, high-end purses). Securing your business is important – but it’s also important to secure your home. Here are some tips to help keep you safe

and aware:

Harden Exterior Doors

• Use solid-core or metal doors with high-quality deadbolts
• Add 3-inch screws to strike plates and hinges
• Use smart doorbells to monitor visits and suspicious activity

Improve Window Security

• Install window security film, which can slow forced entry
• Use window locks, especially on ground floor and sliding doors
• Add motion-activated lighting around windows and backyard

Alarm Recommendations

• It’s best to have a monitored alarm system with glass-break sensors, interior motion sensors and door/window contacts
• Loud exterior sirens can deter criminals, who prefer silent, quick break-ins and often flee from noise

Surveillance Cameras Should Cover

• Driveway and street
• Side yards
• Back yard/sliders
• Front door and walkway
• Use cloud recording (criminals often attempt to steal or destroy on-site recorders)

Cash, Jewelry, Important Documents

• Use a bolted-down safe (floor-mounted, not just a fire safe)
• Do not store safes in bedrooms — that’s the first place burglars search
• Keep valuables in unexpected interior locations

Be Aware of Surveillance or Pre-Planning

Theft groups often case homes by driving repeatedly past the property and pretending to be landscaping, utilities, or contractors

Social Media & Privacy

• Criminals use social media to identify business owners who appear to carry large amounts of cash, vacation announcements and family routines
• Delay posting about trips until after returning
• Avoid showing cash-heavy days or large inventory deliveries at work
• Keep children’s locations private

See Something, Say Something

• Join business watch or local merchant coalitions
• Report all suspicious activity, small patterns help investigators link cases
• Build a Relationship with Local Law Enforcement