NCJ Number
145444
Journal
Security Distributing and Marketing Dated: (June 1992) Pages: 78- 79
Date Published
1992
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The authors substantiate the claim that alarm systems effectively avert residential burglaries.
Abstract
A survey was conducted among nonburglarized and burglarized residential and commercial respondents (n=1,147) in three Philadelphia suburbs from 1989 to 1991. It was determined that security precautions, such as alarm systems, are among the four significant factors that affect burglars' plans. Homes in affluent neighborhoods are at higher risk than are equal counterparts in less affluent areas, but accordingly, they are more likely to have better alarm systems. Under equal environmental conditions, the risk of burglary of nonalarmed homes is 2.7 times greater than that of alarmed homes. The few alarmed properties that were burglarized were high on other significant factors: close to heavily traveled roads, very expensive and visible, fewer alarm company signs than nonburglarized alarmed properties, and homeowner inattentiveness to supplementary security precautions. Photograph and 3 tables.