Protecting your home and property from break-ins

Home robberies and theft are a fact of life around the world and our community is no different. Since 2007, 44 Vicenza members of the U.S. military community at Camp Ederle have had a home robbery.

To help you when searching for a safe home, or to help people who want to improve the security of their home, USAG-Vicenza Antiterrorism Office conducts home security surveys. Call 634-8069, 634-8984 or 634-2014 for assistance.

The US Army Garrison Vicenza Antiterrorism Office tracks and analyzes burglary incidents and conducts surveys of homes to identify trends. The following are some trends noticed over the last 12 months:
- Robberies don't necessarily occur at night or when residents are away from home.
- Burglars are not normally interested in larger items (electronics, etc). At highest risk are high value items they can easily carry away, especially jewelry.
- Burglars will often look for valuables in areas they consider likely hiding places (e.g., master bedrooms, bathrooms).
- Burglars will take advantage of opportunities to gain entry, such as open/unlocked shutters.
- There has not been a single burglary in a home with an operational, armed alarm system in the past three years.

Tips to help prevent home burglary

- Consider purchasing a home alarm system; local area merchants can install a system from roughly 1000 Euro and up, depending on options.
- Close and lock your shutters and windows at night and when you're not at home.
- Consider hiding valuables in areas less likely to be searched and/or keep them out of plain view.
- Place an object in the track of sliding doors to prevent it from being opened.
- Report suspicious incidents such as people watching your home.
- Request a home security survey from the USAG-Vicenza Antiterrorism Office. Call 634-8069 for assistance.

Where burglars break-in

According to trends of robberies in and around Vicenza, burglars enter homes by these means:
- 34% through the front door
- 23% through first floor windows
- 22% through the back door
- 9% through the garage
- 6% unlocked storage rooms and storage areas
- 4% through the basement
- 2% through second floor windows