The Suburban Security Shift: Why Crime is a Growing Concern and What You Can Do About It
For decades, the suburbs have been synonymous with peace, quiet, and safety. It’s the reason many families move there—for tree-lined streets, backyard barbecues, and the peace of mind that comes with a perceived distance from big-city problems. But the landscape of safety in America is shifting, and the quiet streets are not as insulated as they once were.
If you feel a growing sense of unease about crime in your suburban neighborhood, you are not alone. While headlines about national crime rates can be confusing, a closer look at the data reveals a critical trend: the geography of crime is changing.
The New Reality: What the Numbers Tell Us
It’s a complex picture. While some reports show a recent dip in certain crimes nationally, this doesn’t always reflect the reality on a local or suburban level. More telling are the victimization surveys, which capture experiences with crime whether they are reported to the police or not.
A detailed analysis published in TIME magazine, using data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), uncovered a startling trend. Between 2021 and 2022, the suburbs saw a dramatic spike in violent felony victimizations. The data showed these victimizations rose by a staggering 93% for white Americans and 172% for Black Americans in suburban areas.
The takeaway is clear: the security gap between urban and suburban areas is narrowing. Criminals, often seeking paths of least resistance, are increasingly targeting suburban homes, which are often perceived as having less formidable security than their urban counterparts.
What You Can Do About It: A Modern Guide to Suburban Security
The goal isn't to live in fear—it's to live with empowered awareness. Protecting your home and family doesn't require turning your house into a fortress. It means building smart, simple, and effective layers of security that deter criminals and provide you with complete control. Here’s what you can do right now.
Layer 1: Harden the Target
First, focus on the basics. Most burglars are opportunists looking for an easy job. Your goal is to make your home a less attractive target.
Improve Lighting: A well-lit home is a less inviting target. Install motion-activated floodlights over your driveway, backyard, and any dark corners of your property.
Secure Doors and Windows: Reinforce your door jambs with longer screws and consider a deadbolt with a 1-inch throw. For sliding glass doors, a simple security bar in the track is a powerful physical deterrent.
Mind Your Landscaping: Overgrown shrubs and trees near windows or doors provide excellent cover for intruders. Keep them trimmed to maintain clear lines of sight. For more foundational tips, your local police department's website is often an excellent, non-commercial resource for crime prevention strategies.
Layer 2: Build a Perimeter of Awareness
This is where modern technology makes the biggest impact. You can now create a seamless, affordable "digital fence" around your property that alerts you to any activity, whether you're home or away.
The data is incredibly clear on this. In a landmark study of convicted burglars by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, researchers found that about 60% of burglars said they would seek an alternative target if a home had a security alarm. This single fact is the foundation of modern home protection: visibility and awareness are your most powerful deterrents.
Start at the Front Door: Your front door is the first impression you give to visitors—and to potential threats. The Kangaroo Doorbell Camera + Chime is your digital doorman.
See Who’s There: Get a clear video feed of your porch on your smartphone.
Deter Package Thieves: Motion-triggered recordings and the ability to speak through the camera can scare off porch pirates.
Create a Record: Have a video log of every person who approaches your door.
Watch Over Your Property: Suburban homes have more ground to cover—driveways, backyards, and side entrances. The wireless Kangaroo Indoor + Outdoor Cam is designed for this.
Place it Anywhere: With its weather-resistant design and wire-free flexibility, you can monitor your backyard, gate, or driveway with ease.
Clear Night Vision: See what’s happening even in complete darkness, ensuring 24/7 protection.
Secure Every Entry Point: Don't forget the ground-floor windows and back doors. A Kangaroo Front Door Security Kit includes not just the doorbell camera, but also Motion + Entry Sensors. These simple peel-and-stick sensors send an instant alert to your phone the moment a secured window or door is opened.
Layer 3: Get a Decisive Alert
Detection is great, but a decisive alert can be the difference between a close call and a crisis.
Make Some Noise: When a sensor is tripped, you want an intruder to know they've been caught. The Kangaroo Siren + Keypad can be set to blast a piercing alarm, sending them running.
Get Professional Backup: For ultimate peace of mind, Kangaroo offers professional monitoring plans. If a break-in is detected, our 24/7 monitoring team can verify the alarm and dispatch emergency services on your behalf. Explore the right level of protection for your family on our monitoring plans page.
The Kangaroo Advantage: Smart, Simple, Suburban Security
Protecting your suburban home doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. At Kangaroo, we believe in security that fits your life.
No Contracts, No Hassle: We offer flexibility without locking you into a long-term commitment.
DIY in Minutes: All our devices are designed for easy, tool-free setup.
Affordable for Everyone: Build the exact system you need without paying for extras you don’t.
The suburbs are changing, but your sense of security doesn't have to. By taking these proactive steps, you can continue to enjoy everything you love about your home with the confidence that it's protected.
