Handling Crime in Foreclosed Neighbourhoods

With foreclosures continuing to increase, related concerns are raising their heads in hard hit neighbourhoods. One such problem is that of growing crime.

Boarded up homes and vacant properties are often sitting ducks for negative elements. These houses are prime targets for burglars and are also used for all kinds of anti-social activities. Thus along with the homeowners the entire neighbourhood gets affected.

This fact is borne out by recent studies conducted by the George Institute of Technology and the Woodstock Institute, Chicago. One study shows that violent crime tends to occur more in neighbourhoods that have had significant number of foreclosures. According to the study a neighbourhood which had 2.8 foreclosures for every 100 homeowners also showed an increase in violent crime by 6.7 percent. Another study found that the value of single-owner homes dropped by 0.9 percent for every foreclosure within a block of the property.

It can be concluded that the greater the number of foreclosures in a locality the less safe it is likely to become and the more the value of the other properties is likely to drop.

Robberies on vacant properties can take various dimensions. Small time thieves may target copper piping or break in to steal air conditioners and other fittings. More enterprising criminals are likely to change the locks and rent out the home to unsuspecting tenants!

A few precautions may go a long way in safeguarding both the home and the neighbourhood. When a property is foreclosed and the homeowners move away, neighbours are advised to keep an eye on the home. They can then inform the homeowners or the relevant authorities if they see suspicious people lurking about or the house falling into disrepair. Many county offices offer access to public records which can help locate the homeowner or company.

Police departments too offer guidelines to help protect property. They advise residents not to make it obvious when they leave their homes. By having the grass cut, newspapers picked up and lights turned on and off, an impression can be created that the house is lived in. It thus avoids undue attention.

Attention to security measures is another important consideration. The police advise exterior doors to be made of solid wood or metal with deadbolt locks and heavy duty strike plates. Windows should have secondary locking mechanisms and gates need to be secured with padlocks.

An alarm system that is switched on when then residents are away or asleep is strongly recommended.

The full list of precautions advised by the Houston Police department can be found at www.houstontx.gov/police/crime_prevention/images/Burglary3.pdf

Search Foreclosed Homes

• California Foreclosed Homes
• Florida Foreclosed Homes
• Nevada Foreclosed Homes
• Arizona Foreclosed Homes
• Oregon Foreclosed Homes
• Colorado Foreclosed Homes

Popularity: 10% [?]