Crime Rates and Real Estate: Protecting Your Home

The National Post reports that “crime has been at the top of the political agenda for voters since the start of the year.” Specifically, Canadian voters are reportedly concerned about the dramatic increase in violent crime that has taken place. Since 2015 violet crime is up 49%. There is little sign that it is stabilizing and in fact by most measures it is accelerating. The National Post states that the Violent Crime Severity Index is at a peak in recent years. While property crime is upsetting and it does leave the victim feeling violated, the reality is that things can be replaced. Protecting yourself and your family is the most important thing that you can do.

When Canada looks at crime statistics to draw conclusions on which cities are less safe, they use the Crime Severity Index, or the CSI, to measure. Statistics Canada says that all Criminal Code offences are considered and crimes “are assigned a weight based on their seriousness” which is based on the sentences associated with a conviction of said offence. It measures police reported crimes and the severity of the given offence to give an appropriate picture of the crime activity of a given area. According to BlogTo, all 10 of the Canadian cities with the highest CSI in 2023 are located in Canada’s west. While the list spans from British Columbia to Manitoba, reportedly Kamloops, BC takes the top spot with a CSI of 165.3.

So, why are we bringing up this unpleasant fact? Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the thought of becoming a victim of a crime, especially in your neighborhood or in your own home, is unsettling. It will leave you wondering how you can best protect yourself. With crime skyrocketing in Canada, and little current political will to stop it today, let’s talk about a few ideas that we can implement to keep ourselves and our homes safe.

The most obvious step to take are security cameras and alarm systems. According to CNET, studies have shown that 83% of intruders are deterred by security company signs. It looks like having an ADT sign in your front yard is enough to scare many of them off. Regardless as to whether the sticker works, it is never a bad idea to have the actual alarm itself in place to alert you or your family in the case someone thinks they have found a loophole. Despite what I initially thought, intruders do sometimes try for the front door, but nearly just as many try to enter through a window. Don’t let them outsmart you - window security alarms exist too. Alarms are effective because intruders don’t want to draw attention to what they are doing; they want to actually get away with it. So, after you have installed these alarms, it is important that they are visible to the intruders yet still out of reach so they can’t be deactivated, in order to be effective as a preventative measure. And make then loud. Be sure that the criminal at least thinks someone is coming and it is better to leave empty handed than not at all.

Another reason the thieves try for the windows is that they are often left unsecured. People rarely leave their doors unlocked; however, it is common, especially in the summer, that the windows are wide open when you forget a late-night check. In addition to alarms, there are coatings available for windows that are especially useful on the ground floor. These can be coatings such as laminate, often referred to as shatterproof glass. Or materials such as polycarbonate, which make it virtually impossible to break the windows. These also have the advantage of being invisible and much more attractive than old school iron bars or grates.

Security cameras are also a good preventative measure. In the event of an actual crime or an attempted crime, the footage you capture on your ring doorbell can be the best evidence you hand over to the police. As we also know, you should never answer the door to someone you don’t recognize; some cameras can be effective too in that they can allow you to speak to the person at your door through the camera, whether you are at home or not. In the case you are not home, the camera system can have an option for you to alert the police and have them visit your home.

Another great idea is a motion sensor system. If an intruder notices that you have one set up, odds are they don’t want to risk getting caught tiptoeing through your home. If you have pets, ensure they are kept in their crates or at least out of sight, as an intruder may assume the pet is already setting the motion sensor off. Most security systems are capable of recognizing the difference between a pet and a human though.

Speaking of pets, an effective yet simple measure to take is to have a pet. Psychology Today reports that “numerous studies have shown that homes with dogs experience less theft and vandalism than those without dogs” and that even a “Beware of Dog” sign is enough to make the intruder give up and try somewhere else. CNET reports that a dog serves as an occupancy cue, indicating that the house may have people in it and they don’t want to go through the trouble of encountering a homeowner.

In addition to motion sensor alarms/cameras, ensure this includes motion sensor lights. Think about it - if you were sneaking around and a light turned on and suddenly illuminated you, you would probably feel very exposed. Having motion sensor lights both inside your home and outside your home are not only convenient for you in the case of a midnight snack but will also come in handy when you are trying to deter crime.

The Toronto Police attracted some unintended, and likely unwanted, attention when they suggested to homeowners that they leave their car keys at their front doors so that when criminals break in it is easier and less confrontational. Most homeowners rejected that idea (if something so dumb can be called an idea), but many others decided to install bollards on their driveways. Bollards are those retractable posts that can locked in place to prevent vehicle access (or removal). Again, the idea is to make criminals think about seeking an easier target.

There was a time when the fear of punishment deterred criminals. With the removal of mandatory minimum sentences and the addition of progressive bail reform, that is no longer the case. It is now up to homeowners and families to protect themselves.

Be aware and stay safe.