Vandalism is frustrating for property owners. It is time-consuming to clean up and may be expensive to repair. But it doesn’t need to be difficult to prevent. With the right steps, you can take charge of protecting your property and deter vandals from attacking your home. Below are four ways to prevent vandalism aimed at your home or property.
Report Vandalism
If any instance of vandalism occurs, whether big or small, report it immediately. The local police are more likely to patrol an area with a report of vandalism, which can help prevent further instances. They may also possibly catch a suspect in the act if they patrol more often.
It’s also smart to report vandalism to your insurance company. Your home insurance may actually cover acts of vandalism. When you get a home insurance quote, check the coverage to see what all is included. You don’t want to be responsible for cleaning spray paint or paying for a broken window caused by a thrown rock. Ensure your home insurance takes care of it. That’s why you have it, after all.
You should also help clean up any instances of vandalism in the neighborhood. Assist your neighbors when vandals strike. Clean up markings on the road or on road signs. By quickly clearing the signs of such activity, your neighborhood sends a message that they don’t tolerate vandalism.
Keep Your Yard Well Lit
Using lights throughout your yard and around your house can reduce the risk of criminal activity on your property. Studies show that outdoor lighting in neighborhoods decreases crime by 36%. Install a bright light by each door, and line your walkways with solar lighting.
Consider the sides and backyard as well, especially if they are easily accessible to vandals through an alley or adjoining yard. Take advantage of motion sensor lights. These are particularly helpful at alerting you when someone enters your yard. Plus, you won’t have constant lighting in areas that may disturb your next-door neighbors. Don’t forget the garage either. Put lights by the garage bay door and the door you use to enter and exit.
Vandals don’t want to be caught in the act, nor do they want to be identified. Sufficient lighting allows for both. They may choose to skip your house entirely if it’s all lit up. Talk with your neighbors and see if they will keep their outdoor lights on as well. Dark areas tend to lure criminals. These include homes without residents or even houses where the family has gone out for the evening.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
You don’t need to become best friends with your neighbors. You don’t need to barbecue together and go on golf outings with each other. But you should get to know them. Why? Because they provide an extra set of eyes that can catch vandals in your yard.
Let your neighbor know that you will actively watch their property, if they want you to. Ask if they will return the favor and keep an eye on your home. Exchange phone numbers and even notify them of your work schedule or when you are going on vacation. This way, they can monitor your home when you are away. You can report anything suspicious to each other.
In most cases, criminals duck past your windows and sneak around so that you can’t see them from inside your house. But your neighbor certainly can see them. If you befriend your neighbor, they’re more likely to contact you if they see someone they don’t recognize in your yard.
Install a Security System
A home security system with cameras can protect your home and family from crime. Studies show that criminals are less likely to approach a house with a camera. They are also more likely to leave immediately if they spot a camera. So, don’t hide your camera to capture the crime in action. Instead, put it out in the open to deter the criminal activity altogether. Many security systems come with signage, alerting passers-by that your home is secured. Display these so they are visible from the street.
Home security systems come in a variety of sizes. There are ones that have door and window sensors for the whole first floor. There are others with indoor motion sensors that you turn on at night or when you leave. And there are ones with cameras that record activity outside your house.
Your outdoor lighting goes hand-in-hand with your security camera, literally lighting up the criminal and taking their photo. But additionally, your camera should have night vision, enabling it to get a clear picture of perpetrators, even in the dark. If for some reason your motion lights do not trigger, the camera will still capture the vandal’s image.
Protecting Against Vandalism
Imagine a scenario where a neighborhood uses the strategies listed above to deter vandals. The street is well lit. Motion sensor lights illuminate any suspicious activity. Neighbors become allies, watching out for each other’s homes. Then there’s your home. The yard lights up if individuals walk to the door. A camera watches from the front porch. A sign in the yard announces a security system. Criminals see the unmistakable evidence of surveillance up and down the street and choose to seek easier targets elsewhere.
With the help of the whole neighborhood, you can make a united front against vandalism. Together, homeowners stand as guardians of their streets. They send a resounding message to vandals. They say, “In this community, mischief is unwelcome. In this community, we stand united against its threat.”
