| One of the best ways to out think the | | | | reported. Don't kid yourself-burglars have plenty |
| prospective burglar, who may well take up | | | | to steal, if not family jewels then your debit card, |
| temporary residence in your home, is to put | | | | credit card and computer appliances. Dated |
| yourself in his shoes. The typical owner thinks like | | | | security measures such as beware of dog signs |
| a homeowner, not like a burglar. The | | | | don't work-burglars may be lowlifes but they're |
| "professional" burglar approaches his job like a | | | | not always stupid. |
| science, like a career that must be learned over a | | | | Tony (Arrested for three counts of robbery |
| period of time. Like a doctor or lawyer, a smart | | | | charges, July 22rd, 2000): |
| burglar studies a given subject (namely home | | | | "When I was a free man, I was always one step |
| security methods) and devises a reaction to | | | | ahead of the smart guy. They put up a sign |
| ultimately achieve his goal. It's a battle of wits, | | | | broadcasting that they were with Brinks so I |
| hardly an entertaining game, but a game that you | | | | learned the Brinks system. The funniest thing is |
| must still win to protect your valuables. Consider | | | | that most people go all out to defend themselves |
| some confessions of dangerous burglars and the | | | | at night. They put alarms, video and the whole |
| facts behind the confession. | | | | nine yards. I did my best work in broad daylight." |
| Rocko (Arrested for breaking in entering, March | | | | Fact: According to studies in reported incidents of |
| 3rd, 2002): | | | | American burglary, 65.8 percent of all robberies |
| "The biggest advantage that I have is a person's | | | | were of residential structures and a whopping |
| overconfidence. Everybody underestimates me, | | | | 62.4 percent of residential burglaries took place |
| thinking they have nothing that valuable or that a | | | | during the day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Though |
| big dog is going to scare me away." | | | | most nonresidential structures were robbed at |
| Fact: In 2005, law enforcement agencies reported | | | | night, this does give more insight into the types of |
| over 2,000,000 burglary offenses-a small increase | | | | burglars homeowners are dealing with. As |
| over the previous year and a gigantic 14.1% | | | | indicated by the burglar's statement, informing |
| increase since 1996. Even as home security | | | | your opponent of which security system you use |
| technology has grown, more burglaries have been | | | | is like giving an off the record hint. |