Being proactive in protecting your belongings can increase the chances of successful investigation and recovery in case of an unfortunate event.
The 2022 Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) annual crime report indicates a 1.7% decrease in violent crime nationwide compared to 2021. Despite an overall decline, the property crimes landscape tells a contrasting story – the same report show that property crimes increased by over 7%i. Property crimes, which involve captivating money or property with force or threat, pose significant dangers, escalating to violent crimes swiftly. Understanding the dynamics of these crimes is crucial for developing and implementing effective strategies to combat such offenses. The most common types of property crimes are – robbery, shoplifting, burglary, vandalism, arson, theft, larceny, trespassing, extortion, and embezzlement.
Michael Blake, a 26-year-old, came home only to find his PlayStation 3, his roommate’s Xbox 360, and a collection of their games gone. An unknown suspect stole the electronics from a quiet, upscale neighborhood in Huber Heights, Ohio. The suspect entered the home through an unlocked back door while the residence was empty. Blake, the victim, said he never thought of making a record of his video game system’s serial numbers because of which the investigators will likely face difficultly to track down the stolen electronics and well as the criminal.
| Michael Blake, a 26-year-old, came home only to find his PlayStation 3, his roommate’s Xbox 360, and a collection of their games gone. An unknown suspect stole the electronics from a quiet, upscale neighborhood in Huber Heights, Ohio. The suspect entered the home through an unlocked back door while the residence was empty. Blake, the victim, said he never thought of making a record of his video game system’s serial numbers because of which the investigators will likely face difficultly to track down the stolen electronics and well as the criminal. |
In 2021, nearly 6.4Mii property crime cases were reported in the U.S. And this figure is merely theoretical, as a significant portion of the crimes in the U.S. goes unreported. In fact, only 1/3 of the property crimes are reported annuallyiii and only 13% of reported U.S property crimes are cleared. Compared to other crimes, property criminals are less likely to be caught and charged because of its complexity. For example – stolen good like electronics, jewellery, watches, furniture, bicycles, etc., can be easily sold or disposed, making it difficult for law enforcement to recover and trace them. Often these crimes occur in private settings, such as homes, with few or no witnesses available, making it difficult to identify suspects and gather evidence. One of the complexities is also the high volume of cases that agencies handle, making it difficult to devote extensive resourced to each investigation.
Property crimes have more impact beyond asset loss for victims. Victims may feel angry, depressed, isolated, fearful, and struggling with their negative feelings or sleep deprivation from the anxiety or lost sense of safety caused by the incident. These emotional burdens can hinder their daily functioning, affecting their ability to work, maintain relationships, and engage in everyday activities. In November, three Colombian swindlers scammediv a senior citizen out of more than $20,000 in the Chicago area outside a grocery store, claiming to have a fake lottery ticket. This kind of theft by deception, where a person or a group purposefully obtains property of another by fraud, can be deeply unsettling and traumatizing to the victim’s emotional and psychological in addition to financial wellbeing. For some victims, the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by property crimes is amplified by pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as recent grief or mental health challenges. These vulnerabilities can exacerbate the impact on their overall well-being, including their emotional, psychological, and financial stability. For others, the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by property crimes is amplified by pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as recent grief or mental health challenges.
P before R: Prevention is much easier than recovery. Taking the first step of staying vigilant and implementing proactive measures will significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these crimes. For victims who have already suffered an incident, preventing future losses helps regain a sense of control and safety, rebuild confidence, and create a safer community for everyone.
Various federal agencies are continuously working towards combating the issue of property crime rates in the U.S. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)v leads investigations and data analysis; the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), aids in local initiatives; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tackles firearm and explosive-related thefts. However, these agencies must work together seamlessly and integrate data across complex landscapes to make it easier to implement their mission goal of reducing property crimes and create a safer community.
With DX360°® Investigative Case Manager™, an all-in-one solution that streamlines the full lifecycle of a case, investigators and case managers can synthesize disparate data into a full picture – like each evidence of a crime scene. This mobile enabled app provides easy access to each case type while intelligent data analytics and pattern recognition features make the information gathered about the case easily consumable for analysis. DX360°® ICM can facilitate better management of caseload with assignment visibility and case prioritization based on their severity, potential impact, and available resources – enabling workloads to be optimized for investigation efficiency and a faster resolution for victims. Learn more about DX360°® Investigative Case Manager (ICM) by requesting a personalized today: demo@netimpactstrategies.com
