New York Crime Rate: Why Home Security Remains a Top Priority
Living in the bustling metropolis of New York offers many perks, from reliable transportation to career opportunities and an exciting social scene. However, living in a major metropolis such as New York means ongoing concern for personal safety, security of property, and the need to protect your car from theft. While a decline in officially recorded burglaries during the first half of 2023 may provide some relief to New Yorkers, the significance of home security should never be underestimated.
Regardless of whether you live in a peaceful neighborhood, prioritizing the protection of your home remains essential. As criminals become increasingly sophisticated, homeowners must explore new ways to enhance the security of their living spaces. In this article, discover the practical methods to secure your home and improve your peace of mind.
New York City Crime Statistics
New York City’s security rating stands at 6.1 out of 10, ranking it 98th among the Best Places to Live and 14th among the Best Places to Retire. According to data from U.S. News in 2020, the metropolitan area had a lower violent crime rate (256.3 per 100,000 residents) than the national average for that year. Similarly, property crime rates were also lower, with 995.8 property crimes per 100,000 people.
However, like many other cities and metropolitan areas across the United States, NYC burglaries are possible at any time, although they are more common during daylight hours. Additionally, the frequency of burglaries tends to rise during the summer, coinciding with the vacation season when residents are often away. To significantly reduce the risk of your home becoming a target, know how to effectively secure your property against potential intruders, day or night.
Assess Your Home’s Safety for Optimal Security
Carefully inspect all locks, padlocks, keys, alarm systems, motion sensors, lights, and smart home security systems and devices. Determine how well they are performing, whether the batteries need to be replaced, or if you need to take more drastic measures like changing locks or fitting a new wireless alarm system. Hire a residential locksmith near you to properly assess your home’s security, vulnerable entry points, and safety weaknesses and the best solutions for them.
Strengthening Front Door Security
While changing your habits when leaving the house might help prevent accidental break-ins through the front door or window left open or unlocked, putting other measures in place should add extra layers of security that will be helpful long-term. The best way to do things is to tap into the rich expertise of a local locksmith. This way, you should benefit from the best protection against potential threats via advanced lock systems, including access control systems and smart locks with anti-drill and anti-pick features.
While changing a worn-out or faulty lock with the same model is a standard solution, a good locksmith will provide tailored options for your particular needs. How about a video doorbell camera that goes hand in hand with your new front door smart lock that you can operate remotely while traveling?
Window Security: A Vital Consideration
Fit quality, intricate locks on them to protect your home from unauthorized access. Around 23% of all burglary cases occur through ground-floor windows that were not properly secured.
Consider Deadbolts for Extra Protection
While your doors might be currently protected by high-quality locks, it never hurts to add an extra layer of security using deadbolts. Due to their robust design and sturdy components, deadbolts will give you more peace of mind and enhanced protection around your property since they are extended into the frame of the doors and anchored firmly to provide residence against most break-in attempts.
Invest in Security Lighting
Make sure to use bright lights as a good deterrent against potential burglars. If your NY home has panes of glass on the doors, see they are well-secured while preventing any visual lines of sight into your home.
Final Thoughts
Living in a fast-paced city like New York City has many benefits and opportunities, but it also needs a greater emphasis on personal safety and property security. While the city’s overall security ranking may provide some confidence, it’s important to remember that burglaries can occur anytime. To effectively limit danger and defend your house, it is critical to take proactive security measures.