Crime

“Hitting Home” – Interview with a Burglary Victim

by Carolyn
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As the financial system in the United States becomes more unstable, it seems that more people are being affected by burglaries. Burglaries are now becoming an issue even in reputable neighborhoods, or communities that have never had previous issues with crime. Raleigh, North Carolina is no exception, as the city has seen a marked increase in the number of burglaries over the past several months. Jessica (who asked that her last name be omitted for privacy reasons) never thought she’d…

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Methods to Recognize Criminal Behavior

by Carolyn
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The subject of identifying criminal behavior has been extensively explored by psychologists. If there were definitive signs that a person had intentions of engaging in criminal activity, our law enforcement officials would be much more effective at identifying criminals. However, there is no one true sign of a criminal, or one behavior that automatically suggests criminal behavior. Instead, there are “suspicious” behaviors, actions or mannerisms that can help us identify someone that has criminal intentions. By combining these with common…

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Cornell Study Finds That We Identify Criminals on Sight

by Carolyn
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You’re walking down a deserted city street, on your way back to the parking garage to pick up your car. The dim light of the streetlamps casts everything in an eerie, surreal glow. You approach the entrance of the parking garage, and you see a man simply standing there, smoking a cigarette. As you get closer, you can make out his facial features. Do you run? Does he look dangerous? Are you looking at a potential criminal? The idea that…

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What is Distraction Burglary?

by Carolyn
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A new tactic that many burglars are now using is called “distraction burglary”. This type of burglary combines an identity scam with a burglary or other crime. Since it involves clever manipulation, distraction burglary can be extremely dangerous if you aren’t familiar with the warning signs of this type of scam. Here is some information to help familiarize you with distraction burglary, as well as how to spot different types of distraction burglary scams. How Do They Do It? Usually,…

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Crime Statistics for 2009

by Lyndsi
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The FBI recently released 2009’s crime statistics, and for the seventh consecutive year, the number of property crimes in the United States declined. The number of violent crimes also decreased for the third year in a row. Highlights of the Facts and Figures Violent crime decreased across the United States by 5.3%. Murder declined 7.3%, robbery 8.0%, aggravated assault 4.2% and forcible rape 2.6%. Property crimes dropped by 4.6%. Within the property crimes category, vehicle theft decreased by 17.1%, larceny…

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Burglary Ring Busted for $100,000 of Stolen Property

by Lyndsi
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During the month of August, there were over 50 burglaries in Nashua, New Hampshire. Police feared a burglary ring was responsible for the increase in robberies, but they were unable to catch any thieves. In one of the burglaries, though, a large amount of fireworks were stolen. The fireworks would lead to a breakthrough in the case. Police and detectives were asked to watch for firework violations, and on August 28, Officer Mike Dore heard the sound of fireworks exploding.…

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A Burglar Victim’s Sign for Help

by Lyndsi
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While walking or driving down the street, you may see signs for lost cats or dogs and the homeless holding signs asking for help. A woman in Fresno, California is displaying a different kind of sign. She hung up a 5’x5’ cardboard sign that says, “My house was robbed 8/31 @ 3:30-4:30.” She included her phone number for anyone to call with information. The sign is hanging on her gate for drivers, walkers and neighbors to see. The burglar victim hopes…

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Are Your Windows Secure?

by Carolyn
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In regards to securing your home, it’s easy to get caught up in elaborate security systems, burglar-proof locks and other sophisticated devices. However, many people often forget that first-floor windows are an entry point for around 20% of burglars! Here are a few quick tips to help you to ensure that your windows are secure. Glass Break Sensors Installing a glass break sensor close to your windows can provide a high level of protection against burglaries. While a glass break…

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What Time of Day do Burglaries Occur?

by Carolyn
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Most people assume that the majority of burglaries occur during nighttime hours. However, statistics have actually shown that a larger percentage of burglaries occur during the daytime. ** This is because many burglaries are crimes of opportunity, and daylight hours are when most people are out for various activities. For example, if a homeowner accidentally leaves their garage door unlocked after driving to the store for an errand, a burglar may see the unlocked door, and take that opportunity to…

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Are People Born to be Criminals? A Guide to Criminal Anthropology

by Carolyn
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Many news stations feature stories about the victims of criminal activities. Often, you see a tearful woman, asking questions such as “Why were we the victims?” and “Why did he do it?”. The answers to these questions are often unclear, as there are many motives that could potentially cause a person to commit a crime. A field of study, called “criminal anthropology”, attempts to provide a few explanations that could potentially shed light on the reasons behind criminal behavior. What…

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