WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, Texas – Security cameras and window sensors on home residences are a common sight these days. However, burglars are exposing a common trend in most residences when it comes to window sensors.
They are primarily located on the first floor. This routine placement is what burglars are exposing according to area law enforcement as a string of burglaries in West University Place along with another in Bellaire since late November are raising concerns as access into the residences was achieved or attempted through a second floor window.
The reason?
According to law enforcement and security experts that have spoken with KPRC 2 News, it’s simply to capitalize on homeowners who do not have security sensors for glass break-ins on the second floor of their home.
Talk of the crimes has been the topic of neighborhood conversations over the past week according to residents with the city’s police department now planning a public safety community meeting for Wednesday.
“You wouldn’t expect that to happen here especially at the time where the robberies were happening,” said Devynn Dayton, a mother who lives in the area.
Police say the crimes have been happening in the evening hours between 7 and 9:00 p.m. with ladders and backyard tables being utilized to gain access.
“It’s crazy that people are that confident to just go into the backyard and go through the second floors, that is not a quiet, a quiet ordeal.“
All the residents we spoke with said they are concerned with these crimes, even more interesting is the fact that before the burglars make it inside of a home what they are doing is identifying security cameras outside of it according to law enforcement, pointing them into a different direction or in at least the Bellaire case from late November, jamming the signal to distort the images of the burglars.
“I’m honestly impressed I know that is not probably the right word but this very premeditated.”
Law enforcement tells KPRC 2 News the best protection is sensors on all windows in your homes, but if installation and monthly costs are an issue a simple window clamp can help deter a burglary from happening.