Discussions surrounding burglary often involve local crime statistics and actual burglary stories. We like to talk about preventing burglary with home security systems and the right kinds of locks on our doors and windows. But have you ever wondered about local and regional geography? Does it impact your risk of becoming a burglary victim?
It is an important question because many people assume burglaries are more likely to occur in big cities. While that is true, it is largely because of population density. Suburban and rural communities still need to deal with burglary and other property crimes. They also need to deal with the realities of their local and regional geography.
Local City Geography
In terms of local geography, think about the geography of your city or town. Things like elevation and terrain can make a big difference in how a burglar selects his targets. The two keys are the effort and time required to commit the crime. Burglars want to do as little work as possible and get the job done quickly. If a home looks like it’s too difficult to break into or could take too much time, he will opt for another home.
There is also the ‘distance decay’ factor to consider. Distance decay is a principle suggesting that burglars will attempt to minimize travel time and cost in favor of familiar and more easily reached areas. The farther a neighborhood is, the more time and effort it takes to reach that neighborhood. It falls down the burglar’s list of priorities.
Barriers like rivers, hills, and major highways can also limit criminal movement. Let’s say you have a major river that cuts through the heart of a city. Let us also say there are limited bridge crossings. If it takes too much effort to get across the river, a burglar will not bother. He will stay on his side of the river as long as he can find homes to hit.
Neighborhood Design and Street Layout
Closer to home is the actual neighborhood you live in. Its design and street layout contribute to criminal behavior. For example, consider connectivity and street permeability. Both contribute to how easily people can move through the area.
A Seattle study conducted in 2018 demonstrated that neighborhoods built to encourage pedestrian activity were less likely to be burglarized. These were neighborhoods that offered well-connected street networks and mixed land uses, including residential and retail.
By the same token, more disconnected neighborhoods that discourage both pedestrian activity and casual surveillance were more likely to be victimized by burglars. Think of secluded suburban neighborhoods with a preponderance of cul-de-sacs. The only caveat is that such neighborhoods still need good vehicle access to encourage burglars. Gated communities with 24-hour controlled access were deemed safer than those without.
Homeowner Land Use Considerations
Closing in on individual homes, we get to the question of land use. You have probably read advice from home security companies about keeping landscaping trimmed and neat. Along the same lines, home security experts recommend ensuring a clear view of your house from the street. A good view from the curb represents the kind of visibility that burglars don’t like.
Views are important in terms of deterrence. If a burglar knows he can be easily seen as he approaches a home, he needs to think twice about his risk. This explains why security providers like Vivint Home Security recommend installing external video cameras that provide clear views of the front door and driveway. Additional cameras covering the rear and side entrances are also a smart idea.
The idea of local land use boils down to whether a burglar can take advantage of a potential victim’s property to shield his activity. Any landscaping or local landmarks providing cover only encourage a burglar to target a home. But with no cover, the home becomes a less attractive target.
The Question of Regional Geography
Most burglars operate locally, so we would expect to see variations in burglary rates based on neighborhood design, street layout, and local land use. But there are some regional considerations worth paying attention to. For purposes of illustration, consider the state of New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment has the highest burglary rate in the nation at 362 per 1000 residents.
The study from which those numbers come offers an interesting analysis of conditions in New Mexico. Albuquerque, one of the largest cities in the state, has dealt with excessive burglary rates for years. The city’s population density is fairly high. Unfortunately, Albuquerque is also known for its poverty.
Meanwhile, many of the smaller towns scattered throughout the state also have high burglary rates. The study cites several reasons for this:
- Poverty – Poverty is a problem throughout New Mexico. It isn’t limited to the bigger cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Where you see high poverty rates, you also see a tendency toward property crimes.
- Rural Locations – New Mexico is a largely rural state. There are small towns here and there with lots of open real estate between. This tends to limit movement, thereby limiting economic opportunities as well.
- Lack of Law Enforcement – The combination of poverty and New Mexico’s rural nature encourages under-resourced law enforcement. There simply aren’t enough police agencies and officers on the street to deter crime.
Should residents in New Mexico’s rural areas do anything different to prevent burglary compared to their urban counterparts? Perhaps the details are different, but the general principles are the same. The best way to keep burglars away is to make sure that victimizing your house requires time and effort. Make it too difficult and time consuming and burglars will search for easier targets.
You can utilize local and regional geography to your advantage if you understand how burglars think. Take whatever nature offers to help you protect your property. Then make up the difference with a combination of mechanical security devices, electronic home security, safe social media practices, and some old-fashioned diligence.