With hot, sunny days that often climb into the low 80s and over 3,000 miles of freshwater coastline, Michigan is famous for its gorgeous summers. For those lucky enough to live in the state year-round, the glowing sun and warm temperatures are a welcome reprieve from the often long, cold Michigan winters. From a vacation standpoint, Michigan summers are hard to beat; however, the hot summer sun also brings something more sinister: a historical increase in crime rates.
Studies show that crime can increase between 11-12% over the course of the summer compared to other times of the year, which means the risk of crime is highest during a period when many business and home owners are taking time off and attempting to relax. Understanding the various causes of this annual crime spike can help keep your business protected, allowing you to keep your mind off crime and focused on the sunnier side of the summer season.
As temps climb, so does crime
Criminologists generally agree that various psychological and physiological components can explain the summer crime spike:
- Rising temperatures can trigger increased levels of aggression, which translates into higher crime rates.
- Longer daylight hours give criminals more time and more visibility in which to operate, especially in the late evening.
- Shorter business hours for some companies results in their buildings being unprotected for longer spans of time.
- Alcohol consumption is a chief contributor to crime in general, but summer day-drinking and warm-weather holidays can exacerbate the issue.
- Students on summer vacation are responsible for a spike in juvenile crimes including burglary and vandalism.
Criminologists also consider sociological factors when looking at such trends. Whether the causes are psychological, physiological, or sociological, the professional consensus is that as temperatures climb, crime rates are sure to follow.
Protecting your business–with a little professional help
31% of all burglaries are committed against commercial properties. Burglars use a variety of tools to force entry, but often gain access using nothing higher-tech than pry bars or credit cards. Studies show that the best way to deter a burglar is simply to have a security system installed: 83% of burglars will check to see if there’s a security system onsite, and the presence of one will deter 60% from committing the burglary. If an emboldened burglar still decides to take a shot at your business, they won’t overcome a professionally installed intrusion system. Most break-ins stem from compromising doors and windows, so door contacts and glass break sensors are essential in alerting authorities to the presence of an intruder.
Most burglaries in commercial properties occur after business hours, but a fraction do happen during the day. Card access systems with magnetic locking mechanisms aid in ensuring that only designated personnel can access the building at any time. Additionally, the visible presence of a camera system can have a deterrent effect on a potential burglar and aid in identifying the perpetrator in the event of an actual break-in.
The EPS Advantage
As a business owner, peace of mind is essential, so it’s not worth gambling with the security of your business. Don’t leave the protection of your life and livelihood in the hands of anyone less than the best. EPS Security has been custom engineering multi-faceted security solutions for Michigan’s homes and businesses for 65 years. Our highly-trained staff designs, installs, services, and monitors security systems of all shapes and sizes to fit our customers’ specific requests and unique layouts.
Don’t let your business security worries prevent you from enjoying your Michigan summer. You work hard. Let EPS Security work hard for you.