MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - There have been more than 5,000 home burglaries in Memphis this year, with more than 700 in July alone.
If it hasn't happened to you, chances are you know someone whose home has been broken into. While police try to get a handle on the burglaries, many are taking their safety in their own hands.
Everyday in Memphis about 25 homes are broken into. If you haven't thought much about home security, now may be a good time and turns out surveillance cameras are just the beginning.
“If we put in a home automation system you can hit good night and it will arm your system,” Lamar Gibson said while showing off a security system.
Gibson is a pitchman at Phoenix Unequaled Home Entertainment, where home security and high tech converge with items like remote control locks and devices that detect shattered glass.
For many the hi-tech is too high priced. A standard security system can cost a few thousand dollars. The most elaborate systems can cost upwards of $50,000.
There's an affordable alternative if you don't mind that it comes with four legs.
“They did research about 20 years ago with lifers in prison and who said their number one reason for not going into someone's home is if they had a dog,” said Candy Crawford of All Breed Dog Training.
Dog trainer Candy Crawford says the best K9 to guard your home is a German shepherd. It only takes six hours to train them.
“They were bred to be good protection dogs, loyal to the family, easy to train, smart, versatile, agile,” Crawford said.
When all else fails, many turn to firearms.
“Business is up; it's not just here, it's any shop you talk to,” said gun shop owner Jay Hill.
Hill operates Classic Arms in Cordova. He says many law abiding citizens are getting fed up with crime and first time gun buyers are on the rise.
"Our number one seller is the home defense shotgun because if somebody enters your house (racks gun) and they hear that sound, they know what that means,” Hill said.
With that being said, no option is fail proof. And nothing may be able to deter a burglar bent on breaking into your home. Even so, one or all of these options could go a long way in keeping crooks at bay.
