Report: Property Crimes Fell Last Year

10/14/2010

Home insurance customers across the country may be interested to learn that property crimes and other offenses declined over the past year.

In its annual report, the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicated that violent crime now stands at its lowest level since 1973, while the property crime rate has been steadily showing improvement as well in recent years.

Still, consumers should still take proper safeguards to protect their property from criminals. After all, even in light of recent declines, there were still 15.6 million property crimes reported last year in the U.S., ranging from burglaries and household thefts to stolen cars.

The federal agency also reported that between 2000 and 2009, the rate of property crimes fell 29 percent.

Consumers may want to check whether their home insurance company offers discounts for safety features that can range from burglar alarms and secure doors and windows to other devices such as automatic lights.

To make their homes less tempting to burglars, it's also advisable for people to have their mail and newspapers picked up while they are away, and to contact the police if they see suspicious individuals loitering in their neighborhood.

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