In 2020 the FBI recorded 522,426 burglaries in the United States using the National Incident-Based Reporting System. Many victims of burglary are traumatized and undergo serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or insomnia following a break-in.
Proper security measures can significantly lower the risk of burglary. Here is how working with an experienced security agency like Ranger Guard can improve your home safety today.
How Does Residential Security Work?
Residential security services work by understanding who steals and why. Most burglars are young males under 25 looking for items that are small, expensive, and easy to sell. Cash, jewelry, guns, watches, laptops, smartphones and other small electronic devices are the most common target.
Burglars usually strike during the day while people are out. July and August have the most burglaries while February has the fewest. While burglars will use force if necessary, most prefer to slip in through an open door or window. Thieves use household tools like screwdrivers, pry bars, and hammers to break into and enter homes. Police rarely catch the thief in the act and most thefts go unpunished.
Because thieves are looking for a quick low effort buck, deterrence and access control are the most effective ways to prevent burglary.
Residential gated communities or apartment complexes often employ private security officers at access gates to verify who enters or exits. This has become more important in recent years, as more acts of violence involving guns or other weapons have occurred. In some situations where violence or other crimes have become a major issue, some properties utilize K-9 agents as part of their residential security team to increase deterrence. Guards often have to enforce community rules, such as no glassware by the pool, as part of their job.
Are Home Security Systems Worth it?
Houses with home security systems are much less likely to suffer burglary than homes without. This is because thieves typically are opportunists who will give up at the first sign of resistance. How much to invest in your home security system will depend on how many valuables you keep in the house and the level of risk you are comfortable with.
As crime rises more and more Americans are contacting private security firms to install state of the art systems.
What Type of Home Security Should I Get?
What level of security you need comes down to how much risk you are comfortable with. Many people see their home as the most important place in their lives. They need to feel protected and safe there. With crime rising across the United States, more people than ever do not feel the peace of mind they need without protection from security professionals to deal with any emergency issues.
In most cases, deterrence is enough. Locks, lighting, cameras, and alarm systems go a long way to deter theft.
Locks
Burglars will avoid your home if it is hard to get in. Lock all your doors and windows. An open window visible from outside may be the only reason a burglar chooses your home to rob. Thieves can enter ground floor windows easily, or upper floor windows by climbing. Ventilation windows should only open from the inside. The garage door is usually the weakest point of entry followed by the back door.
Keep your car locked, even when parked inside your garage. Use high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on exterior doors to resist twisting, prying, and lock-picking attempts. Use a wooden dowel inset or a metal fold down blocking device called a charley bar to prevent latched windows being forced open.
Top Lock Tips:
- Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points
- Use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt
- Use a quality, heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
- Use a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
- Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches
Lighting
Darkened homes tell burglars no one is home. Inexpensive timers can turn on lights, TV sets, or radios to simulate residency. Exterior lighting is critical if you park in a common area or underground garage and need to walk to your front door. Lights should be bright enough for you to see 100-feet and identify colors. Security lights with infra-red motion sensors are relatively inexpensive and can replace an exterior porch light or side door light on single family buildings. Heat-motion sensors can detect body heat and be programmed to reset after one minute.
Cameras
Modern surveillance systems send real-time video and other data to monitoring centers, staffed 24/7 by trained security specialists. Monitoring personnel with a security company such as Ranger Guard can instantly see security breaches and alert police or other first responders.
Ranger Guard customers are able to contact our monitoring staff at any time for information or assistance. Full service security camera infrastructure like this is essential for property managers in a residential community.
Alarms
Visible alarm system signs tell burglars not to bother. Without signs an uninformed burglar might break a window or door and grab a few quick items before the police can respond. Do not write your alarm passcode on or near the alarm keypad. Program audible alarms to reset automatically after a couple of minutes so your neighbors don’t have to listen to the alarm after the thief is long gone.
Homeowners can also connect alarm and camera systems to their smartphones or tablets, enabling them to receive updates on security events or control systems remotely.
How To Choose a Residential Security Service
To protect yourself and your family from invasion you need a well monitored security company with certified personnel. Ensure your company trains security guards to the highest standards. Ranger Guard goes above and beyond the state and federal licensing requirements and provides in-depth extra training to all officers.
A reputable company will provide an on-site representative who can meet you face-to-face and show you their best offers. Once you have seen all the options for your security system you can choose what will work best for you and your family. Ranger Guard offers a free consultation for this reason, to give non-experts the facts before they make a decision.
In addition to guard quality and face-to-face service, choose a security guard company with a good reputation. Check out online reviews and ask for references. Finally, make sure they have good customer service. You need to know you can get hold of your security company in an emergency situation. Ranger Guard has 24/7 staff support by supervising agents that clients can contact at any time. We also ensure that all officers update regular reports that clients can access through our app. This way clients always know what’s going on on their property.
Ranger Guard Workplace Security Services
Ranger Guard, like many other full-service firms, offers bespoke security solutions tailored to the exact needs of the client. Services not listed here or unusual combinations of different protection types are all available. Contact us with more information about your specific needs and we will be able to draw up a corporate security plan specifically for you.
Our responsive and available management team provides continuous training and support to the officers to make sure they are ready to face the changing security landscape. As new technology becomes available and alters the security landscape we adapt our practices to stay at the cutting edge of the industry.
Access Control
For apartment buildings and residential complexes, Ranger Guard provides access control services managing who enters and leaves the property.
Mobile Patrol
Some residents feel more comfortable with in-person guards regularly visiting their property. Police officers are unable to provide adequate security to every neighborhood and emergency responders may not arrive in time. Therefore Ranger Guard offers a mobile patrol service in which guards in our clearly marked cruisers will visit your property several times throughout the night.
Instead of set patrols, officers check routes randomly, making it hard for criminals to detect patterns.
Our Guards
Our guards are only hired after extensive background investigations, aptitude tests regarding security procedures, and multi-level drug testing. Ranger Guard also prioritizes hiring those with law enforcement and military backgrounds.
All Ranger Guard security officers are trained in:
- Anti-Terrorism Tactics
- Defensive Tactics
- Patrol Techniques
- K-9 Security
- Access Control
- First Aid/CPR
- Criminal Law
- Customer service and communication skills
- Surveillance
- Emergency communications
Deescalation is better than confrontation. By using techniques learned in Ranger’s exclusive “Enforcement Through Reinforcement” program, officers learn to remain calm and logical when facing upset individuals. As a result, most situations can be resolved without further incident, or the need to contact police officers.
Book Your Free Consultation Now
A Ranger Guard consultant will help you understand where your security threats could come from and the best residential security program for your needs and budget. Because most people are not security experts it can be hard to tell what services are appropriate. That’s why we offer a free security consultation by one of our expert officers to all new clients.
To book your free security consultation, call Ranger Guard now.
