According to FBI statistics, the crime rates in the United States have been on the rise. Burglary tops the list as one of the most common forms of crime. According to the latest FBI statistics, there were over two million burglaries in ONE year. Burglary in residential locations accounted for 73.9% of the overall numbers. Whether in your business or your home, burglaries are devastating. Dealing with the insurance company, police reports and the emotional roller coaster of a stranger rummaging through your stuff is upsetting. But if you are burglarized, taking the time to mark your property can help make it a little bit easier to get it back.
Why you need to identify property
Why do most burglars take property? To sell it! Therefore, it may end up at a pawn shop or online. Law enforcement spends countless hours looking for stolen property. If recovered, having a way to identify property as yours, can keep it from sitting in police lock up or not getting it back at all. Mark your TV’s, laptops, computers, lawn equipment, and anything that might catch the eye of a burglar. You will also be helping law enforcement as your identification provides them with marked evidence of your stolen property to help with convictions.
How to identify property after a burglary
There are different ways through which you can discretely mark your property.
Permanent markers have been the most common form of identification. A postcode or name is effective in marking and making property identifiable. Be careful. Markers may wear off with time and the surfaces of some property may not allow you to write on it. Also think about where you identify your property. Choose an inconspicuous spot so that burglars are not able spot a handwritten ID and remove it before they get rid of it.
Etching is another method of marking property today. Etching is not as easily removed as marker ink. Small etchers are available at the hardware stores for as little as $10. Be sure to etch your property in a discrete area that will not bring attention to your identification.
Microdots are also commonly used to mark property thus making it easy to identify. They are basically tiny discs which adhere to the property with adhesive. Each microdot carries a unique code that is connected to a database. It is one of the most effective methods of marking property thus making it easy to identify.
Keeping your property on your property!
Of course, keeping your property on your property, and catching the burglar in the act, is the best way to keep your property! The average loss in a burglary in the United States is $2,185. The cost to have a monitored system, is considerably less; sometimes starting at around $35 per month depending on the devices and options.
Installing a security system in your home or business can also help you in other ways:
- No loss of irreplaceable personal property – there are some personal things that cannot be replaced with money.
- Not having to track down your property in pawn shops and police property lockup.
- Helps police in convicting the burglars
- Many home insurance providers offer discounts of up to 20% annually for a security system in the home.
Contact us if you would like further information on protecting your property!
