Is your home safe? Las Vegas is Number 1 for burglaries
LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) — The city of Las Vegas ranks number one for burglaries. That's according to numbers from the FBI. The list compares cities with more than a million people.
Thousands of people have been victims of unwelcome intruders in their own homes.
Last year, there were 14,876 burglaries in Las Vegas. That averages out to 40 burglaries a day.
Jennifer Arnold knows what it's like to have a stranger in your home.
"My heart immediately stopped. It was very nerve-racking. It was very scary," said Jennifer Arnold.
The burglar walked around Arnold's home like he didn't have a care in the world. In minutes, her electronics were gone. It was all caught on her home security system. Her dog Diesel can be seen wagging its tail. He has no idea the man he's sniffing is stealing stuff from the home.
After the incident, Arnold took security at her home to a whole new level.
"I actually went in and put locks on my gates. I didn't have locks on them before and I have 3 outdoor security cameras," she explained. "You just hear about so many break-ins," she continued.
News 3 has covered them time and time again across Las Vegas.
We've shown you numerous burglaries caught on camera. Some are more violent than others.
"The biggest misconception people have is they don't worry about physical security. They're more in tune with alarm systems and cameras," said Don Lee with Security Assessment Group.
"Alarm systems and cameras are good, but they only tell you who stole your property and who's already been in your house. We like to concentrate on keeping people out of your home, to begin with," he continued.
Lee says a security door is a good way to protect your home against intruders.
"It just gives the homeowner stand-off distance," he explained.
Lee also recommends getting security film for your windows.
"It makes it so people just can't break your glass and walk into your house," noted Lee.
The cheapest way to protect yourself is by replacing your deadbolt screws.
"Go to Home Depot. Buy some 3 or 3 1/2 inch screws. Take out the screws the manufacturer has in there. This will definitely shore up your front door," he said.
It's a 40-cent solution to make your home safer.
