Your cart is currently empty!
Category: Crime Stats
Security Tips for Travelers
Ask any business professional and they’ll tell you, the world has grown in ways that demand professional services all over the world, which is why a growing number of people work away from home, and even those who don’t will often travel on a regular basis.
How to Keep Your Home Safe
As a result, one of the problems for professionals who frequently travel for work is finding a reliable way to ensure that their home is safe while they are away. With the number of burglaries and home invasions on the rise, you want to ensure that you are not one of those statistics.
Here are some security tips to make your home as secure as possible.
EMC Security Pre-Travel Checklist
- Tidy up the exterior of your house including mowing the lawn. Overgrown grass, unmoved rubbish and dormant toys/tools make a house look unoccupied. If you plan on traveling long enough for the grass to get overgrown, arrange with a trusted adult to mow your lawn.
- Don’t leave your car outside.
- Put your snail mail and any paper delivery on vacation hold.
- Give spare keys to a trusted adult. This person should also know the “safe” word for your security system should they be in contact with the monitoring center.
- Hopefully you have a reliable neighbor who will promptly remove any flyers in your door or on the knob.
- Here’s something you probably never thought of: A burglar casing your street on trash pickup day may notice the one house whose trash cans aren’t at the curb. Hmmm…maybe those people are away on vacation? So have a neighbor bring your trash cans out on trash day—with trash in them—and then bring them back in.
- Set up an automatic timed lighting system. Open curtains or shades enough to reveal this to anyone passing by, but not enough for someone to be able to see your valuables through your windows.
- And don’t forget to arm your alarm system before you embark on your trip.
Need a security system? Give EMC Security a call at 770.963.0305 or check out our website on how to customize the best home security system for your needs today.
21 Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You (From a Burglar’s Perspective)
Michael Williams, a former Federal Agent with over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience, gives a glimpse into the thoughts of a burglar as they decide which homes to target.
The thoughts he reveals below are both shocking and unsettling for homeowners everywhere.
- Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes I dress like the lawn guy and carry a rake. I try my best to never look like a burglar.
- Of course I look familiar – I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.
- Hey, thanks for letting me use your bathroom when I was working in your yard today. While I was there I unlatched the window to make my return a little easier.
- Do you think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table AND the medicine cabinet.
- Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into the kid’s rooms. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it).
- If you don’t answer when I knock, I’ll try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
- I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home and for flat screen TV’s, video game systems and laptop computers (I usually leave desktop computers alone – too heavy).
- I’ll drive through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
- To you, leaving a window open (just a crack) during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To a burglar, it’s an invitation.
- Two things I hate the most: barking dogs and nosey neighbors.
- I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s just human nature. I know, I study human nature, it’s a burglar’s job.
- A loud TV or radio can be a good deterrent. Leave your TV on when you go out. You can buy a timer that turns it on and off at predetermined times when you go out or vacation.
- I’m not complaining, but why do you spend all that money on an alarm system and leave the house without setting it.
- I’m more likely to pass up your house if I see video cameras outside.
- If decorative glass is part of your front door entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes my job too easy!
- If you ask your security alarm company to arm the window over the sink, I won’t be your friend. And arming the windows on the second floor won’t make me happy either. Motion Detectors do not make me a happy burglar at all.
- Avoid announcing your vacation plans of Facebook or Twitter. It’s easier than you think to look up your address. In fact, I can even figure it out from some of the pictures you post.
- You’re right: I won’t have time to break into your safe but if it’s small and not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
- Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might put a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
- It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your keys and you forgot to lock your door- understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
- I ALWAYS have a Plan. Do you? Even my half-baked plan is better than your “No-Plan” plan.
If you have a monitored security system, your defense is already in place. But you need to use it. Make sure to arm your system when you are away from home, or safe inside.
Need a security system? EMC Security would love to earn your business. Give us a call at 770.963.0305 to discuss your options.
Michael Williams – Former Federal Agent: Michael Williams is a former Federal Agent with over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience. His work includes 15 years as an undercover narcotics agent. He was the Senior Instructor at the U.S. Army Military Police School. Michael is currently a Private Investigator in Atlanta, Georgia.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Georgia
Based on the latest FBI crime stats for Georgia (2017), we put together a list of the most dangerous cities in Georgia.
You might be surprised by some of the cities on the list but remember that it’s based on a ratio of crimes per population, so the smaller cities can show a higher ranking than some of the larger cities.
Violent Crime & Property Crime
Some of these rank higher in violent crime than property crime (and vice versa) but all of these cities rank in the top 20 for both.
Average Georgia violent crime (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) as a percentage of population per city is 0.35%. The average property crime rate (burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, arson) as a percentage of the population for the state is 3.1%.
Be safe out there – no matter where you are!
- East Point. This city is at the top of our list because it has a very high property crime rate of 11.6% (3rd highest in the state) and is ranked #2 as the most violent in the state.
- College Park. Ranking 1st for violent crimes and 7th for property crime at 7.4%, College Park can be a very dangerous place.
- Helen. Helen probably shouldn’t be included in this list because of the extremely low population (just 547 residents). Any hint of crime makes the numbers soar. There were only 7 incidents of violent crime reported but as a percentage of population, its one of the highest on the list. Helen’s property crime rate was #1 for the state with 70 incidents, 12.8%.
- Union City. Union city ranked 4th in both categories, a sign of what can be a dangerous place.
- Hapeville. This city, close to the airport, ranks #2 in property crime at 11.7%.
- Quitman. One of the southernmost Georgia cities on the list, Quitman ranks high in both categories, but is also very low in population.
- Tifton. Residents are surprised Tifton is on the list again, but the stats show percentages in both categories well above average.
- Eastman. With almost a 10% property crime rate, Eastman earns a spot again this year.
- Baxley. One of the smaller cities, Baxley’s residents have a higher chance of experiencing crime than others.
- Albany. The most populated city of the group, Albany rounds out our top 10.
Rounding out the top 18:
Griffin, Rockmart, Alma, West Point, Remerton, Douglasville, Brunswick, & Forest Park.
Are you surprised about any on this list? Do you live in any of these cities? Stay safe…we can help.
Need something positive to chew on? Check out the 10 Safest Cities in GA here.
Source: FBI crime data, by city 2017, crime rates (offenses known to law enforcement) as a percentage of the population.
Protect Your Home and Family
Alarm Monitoring from $16.95/Mo.
Protect My Home
Get Started Today!
Complete and submit this form and an EMC Security specialist will follow up.
10 Safest Cities in Georgia
Get an Instant Quote
When looking for a place to call home, safety is probably at the top of the list of considerations. With the increase in violent crimes over the last few years, it’s important to know where the city you may be considering ranks.
Although Georgia has higher-than-average rates of violent crimes, the fifty cities on this list have at least 40% fewer violent crimes than the national average. The three safest cities have over 90% fewer crimes than the national rate! There were zero homicides in thirty-six of these fifty cities—including Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Thomasville, Kennesaw, and Pooler. Even when including other violent crimes, on average these cities had fewer than three violent crimes per 1,000 people.
The 10 safest Cities in Georgia (2018) Provided by Safewise
1. Summerville
- Population: 4,442
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.23
- Property crimes per 1,000: 9.23
- Total crime: 2.44% violent, 97.56% property
2. Milton
- Population: 38,551
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.26
- Property crimes per 1,000: 8.77
- Total crime: 2.96% violent, 97.04% property
3. Johns Creek
- Population: 84,629
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.32
- Property crimes per 1,000: 8.12
- Total crime: 3.93% violent, 96.07% property
4. Senoia
- Population: 4,233
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.47
- Property crimes per 1,000: 10.87
- Total crime: 4.35% violent, 95.65% property
5. Peachtree City
- Population: 35,387
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.54
- Property crimes per 1,000: 15.40
- Total crime: 3.49% violent, 96.52%
6. Alpharetta
- Population: 64,943
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.54
- Property crimes per 1,000: 20.14
- Total crime: 2.68% violent, 97,32% property
7. Tyrone
- Population: 7,243
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.69
- Property crimes per 1,000: 9.94
- Total crime: 6.94% violent, 93.06% property
8. Dallas
- Population: 13,135
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.84
- Property crimes per 1,000: 15.07
- Total crime: 5.56% violent, 94.44% property
9. Flowery Branch
- Population: 6,895
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.87
- Property crimes per 1,000: 22.48
- Total crime: 3.87% violent, 96.13% property
10. Grovetown
- Population: 13,469
- Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.89
- Property crimes per 1,000: 13,29
- Total crime: 6.70% violent, 93.30% property
Rounding out the top 25 on the list are:
11. Woodstock
12. Loganville
13. Holly Springs
14. Suwanee
15. Sandy Springs
16. Braselton
17. Chatsworth
18. Byron
19. Cumming
20. McDonough
21. Fayetteville
22. Jefferson
23. Jackson
24. McRae-Helena
25. Roswell
26. Cairo
27. Locust Grove
28. Dunwoody
29. Port Wentworth
30. Centerville
31. Richmond Hill
32. Thomasville
33. Decatur
34. Acworth
35. Kennesaw
36. Glennville
37. Auburn
38. Hampton
39. Pooler
40. Folkston
41. Madison
42. Adairsville
43. Canton
44. Lafayette
45. Bremen
46. Temple
47. Camilla
48. Calhoun
49. Kingsland
50. Social Circle
No matter where you live, you want to feel safe. Contact EMC Security for alarm and home automation solutions to simplify your life and keep your home and everything inside as safe as possible.
Does Crime REALLY Spike On Halloween? Surprising Facts About Danger to Your Home
Whether you’re out with the kids, carrying their bags of candy as they run from house to house in search of even more sweets, costume masks discarded at least 3 blocks ago, or you’ve camped out at home, eating what sweets the trick-or-treaters haven’t yet taken, everyone has heard one “fact” about October 31st:
Crime spikes on Halloween.
But is that really true? Are you and your family actually in more danger on this day than any other? It all depends on who you are, where you live, and who you ask.
After all, any-time alcohol use increases—as it does on Halloween, as well as New Years, the Fourth of July, and even Christmas—so do the chances of crime and accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that on Halloween nights between 2009 and 2013, over 40% of deaths caused by
vehicle involved a driver who had been drinking. Partieswhere alcohol is served are common, and, as harsh as it sounds, when the roads are wet and the streets are more crowded than usual, the chances a drunk driver will hit and injure someone are much higher.Any increase in crime could also be explained by the hours when people are out and about. Statistically, most violent crimes occur between 7 pm and 1 am, peaking at 10 pm—the times also favored by trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
However, it’s not just violent crime that increases on this holiday. According to data acquired by Traveler’s Insurance in 2016, crime-related insurance claims spiked by 24% on October 31st.
So, what’s the NUMBER ONE type of criminal activity that increased on Halloween?
Property crime. And while vandalism is indeed common, 60% of these claims involved theft from the home, including breaking and entering, whether you’re there or not.
What can you do about it?
First, be aware. Knowing that you are at risk is half the battle. After that, take the steps below to ensure you, your family, and your home’s safety:
- If you leave the house, leave the lights on. This will hopefully make any potential burglars think someone is home.
- Don’t post on social media until you’re back. As cute as your kids or pets might be in their costumes, posting a picture on Facebook of them at a party across town lets criminals know your house is empty… AND a prime target.
- Clear your car of any valuables. Don’t forget to remove anything you don’t want to lose from your car, especially if it’s not parked in a garage.
- Keep your doors and windows locked, even when you’re home. It’s easy to forget to lock your door after you’ve just finished handing candy out to a group of little monsters. But that also makes it just as easy for a burglar to slip in when you’ve stepped away later.
- Move valuables out of sight. If trick-or-treaters can spot your flat-screen TV from your doorway, so can a burglar.
- Sign up for monitored home security. With EMC Security keeping watch, you can enjoy your night without worrying about whether your home is safe. We’ll be keeping watch, and with our security cameras, so can you, right from your mobile phone!
Burglars Answer Question that Could Help Protect Your Home
Fox 5 Atlanta reported on a study where they sent 20 questions related to home burglaries to the Georgia Department of Corrections. The questions ranged from how burglars chose the homes they targeted to what time of day they preferred to try to break into a home. 99 convicted burglars responded. Their answers could surprise you, but they should also encourage you to take steps to actively protect your home from criminal activity.
For example:
- 28% said they entered the home through an unlocked or open window
- 25% through an unlocked door.
- 60% responded that they would leave immediately if an alarm sounded
- while 66% responded that a visible security camera would deter them from breaking in.
- In fact, 60% responded that lights turned on inside the home would make them think twice about attempting to break in.
See the entire 20-question survey in the slideshow below:
EMC Security offers a number of ways to protect your home, from our popular DIY Self-Install System and Security Cameras to Glass-Break Sensors and Home Automation Features. As you can see from the study above, these features could deter would-be criminals from breaking into your home.
To learn more about EMC’s home security options, give us a call today at 770.963.0305, or contact us online at emcsecurity.com/contact.
5 Security Risks Homeowners Overlook
We know no one would intentionally put their family or home in danger, but they might do so without knowing it.
Common Security Risks Homeowners Overlook & how to Correct Them:
1. Not Closing the Curtains. Most burglars peer through windows to look for things to steal and to detect occupancy. Always keep curtains closed when you’re not home and use caution leaving them open when you’re inside. It’s also a good idea to close them at night because interior lights make it especially easy for burglars to see indoors.
2. No Security Camera at the Front Door. You may not realize it but many burglars break in through the front door. But when faced with security cameras, intruders are apt to think twice. Choose a security camera that is monitored with a mobile app so you always know who is at your doorstep. Consult our security camera webpage for information about camera types and which would be best for you.
3. Leaving Doors Unlocked. Even if your neighborhood is considered safe, leaving your door unlocked puts your home and family in jeopardy. Before going to the trouble of breaking in, burglars will often check if your home’s doors are unlocked. Keep your doors locked at all times, even when you’re inside, and don’t leave a spare key in an obvious location. If you’re worried about your family getting locked out or just want to make locking and unlocking the door less of a hassle, consider buying an auto-lock system so you can control your locks from your mobile phone.
4. Not Having a Home Security System. Some burglars case neighborhoods looking for the easiest homes to break into. If you don’t have a home security system, your house may be more attractive to criminals because they think there’s less chance they’ll get caught. A home security system can help reduce the risk of a break-in and better protect your home and family. As an added benefit, EMC Security systems can also monitor you home for fire, carbon monoxide, and other potential hazards. EMC Security can help you choose the best security system for your needs and budget. Once you get a home security system, don’t forget to post the yard signs that came with it to warn burglars your home is protected.
5. No Outdoor Lighting. Burglars don’t want to be seen. That makes a dark entryway and yard a security risk. Illuminate your yard with auto-lights that are motion activated and can be set up to turn on at dusk and turn off whenever you want. You will want to put auto-lights around sheds and outbuildings and other places that store items that a burglar would want.
In addition to implementing the five security solutions above, don’t make the mistake of thinking crime won’t happen to you or your family. While some communities are safer than others, it’s important to remember that crime happens in every neighborhood. Don’t assume your home and family are safe.
Contact EMC Security to secure your home today at 770.963.0305.