Every 4.5 seconds One Larceny-theft
Every 14.7 seconds One Burglary
Every 25.3 seconds One Motor Vehicle Theft
Latest FBI statistics show upward trend in burglaries
Year
Number of offenses
Rate per 100,000 inhabitants
2002
2,151,875
746.2
Percent change
+1.7
+0.6
National Volume, Trends, and Rates
Burglary offenses nationwide in 2002 were estimated at 2,151,875, marking a 1.7 percent increase when compared to the 2001 estimate. Burglary offenses made up 18.1 percent of the Crime Index and 20.6 percent of all property crimes.
Average yearly losses from theft are in the billions:
motor vehicles
televisions
radios
stereos
jewelry
precious metals
currency
notes
guns
collections of all kinds
Police chiefs throughout the country say that a home with a security system provides a significant deterrent to intruders. Studies have shown that homes without a security system have a significant higher break-in rate than homes that are protected.
While most American homes have items of value to thieves, only about 30% of all private homes have a security system. Most customers call for systems after they've been burglarized.
