According to the latest statistics, a burglary occurs every 30 seconds in the U.S.
That’s over 3,000 burglaries every day.
The average amount of monetary loss per burglary is $2,661.
When it comes to property crimes, break-ins are the most feared among people in the U.S.
Since 2021, the number of burglaries in the U.S. has slowly increased.
One of the methods used by burglars to break into homes is cutting glass windows.
A Walgreens in Memphis, TN was recently the target of a burglary.
According to the Memphis Police Department, the burglars broke into the pharmacy by cutting a hole in the glass of the pharmacy window.
The break-in occurred around 3 a.m.
The crazy thing is that the burglars cut through bulletproof glass (seven panes of glass) at the pharmacy drive-up window.
The hole was big enough for a person to climb through.
A glass expert said, “Somebody knew something about glass. This particular type of glass is laminate with plastic in between each pane of glass. It probably took them about 30 to 45 minutes to get through there.”
This same method of entry was used in another Walgreens break-in not too far away.
A police official said, “Our investigators are working with the city and all area law enforcement trying to find some common ground on all these robberies and break-ins.”
It sounds like these burglars have taken their methods to the next level with their ability to get through bulletproof glass.
Police believe the criminals used a blowtorch and cutting tools to get through the glass.
The glass can stop a bullet, but it can’t stop a thief with the right tools.
But it’s not just pharmacies… many burglars enter homes through windows.
So, here are a few things you can do to make it less likely a criminal will cut through your window.
Tempered glass:
Newer homes in the U.S. likely have tempered glass windows, but older homes may not.
So, if you ever replace the windows in your home make sure you use tempered glass.
Tempered glass is harder to cut through, it requires someone to heat the glass before trying to cut it.
Which means criminals likely can’t just show up with a cutting tool and break in. They would need a variety of tools to get in.
That all takes time and adds to the potential they’ll get noticed or caught, so crooks will likely look for easier targets.
Install glass break sensors:
A glass break sensor won’t stop a criminal, but it will alert you to someone breaking in.
Glass break sensors are offered with most home alarm systems. So, if this is a feature you don’t have, make sure to add it.
Whether you have a DIY security system or pay a big company, you can find glass break sensors that work with your security system.
Again, it won’t stop the criminal, but it will give you time to grab a gun and be ready to defend your family.
Security film:
Companies such as 3M make window security films that will prevent windows from shattering.
While these security films won’t make it impossible for someone to cut the glass…
They will buy you time to get your weapon while the burglar struggles to get through the window.
Another option is a clear polycarbonate security glazing system.
This is a glazed panel that can be added to a window that will make it nearly impossible to break or cut the window.
Wired glass:
Wired glass has been around for decades and is used as a safety feature.
The glass is reinforced with a wire mesh to make it stronger and prevents the glass from falling during a fire.
Wired glass is a lot more durable than traditional glass windows.
Of course, this is something you would have to consider when you are replacing windows.
Replacing all the windows in a house is expensive, but if you are going to do it anyway, consider adding security features to protect your home.
But an important thing to remember is that these security windows go both ways.
If the window is so strong that a burglar can’t get in, it also means that you can’t get out during a fire.
So, make sure you follow all building codes and that you have the required number of egress windows that can be broken out during an emergency.
Upgrading your window security is just one of the many simple but effective measures you can take to fortify your home.
I have layers of security, starting at the very edges of my property, to deter criminals from ever reaching my home.
But if they happen to make the mistake of approaching my actual house, they will be introduced to a new level of pain.
