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Vacant and Foreclosed Property Surveillance

The rapid spike in the number of foreclosed and vacant homes is directly tied to the massive layoffs we have been seeing, hearing about, and experiencing. It doesn't take an analyst to recognize that home foreclosures, already high, will reach unprecedented heights in 2009. This also means a massive spike in crimes that inevitably accompany home foreclosures.

These facts make the situation clear:

Bloomberg reports that foreclosures rose 81% in 2008. The White House forecasts almost 3 million jobs lost in 2009. The FDIC states that job loss puts 32% of homeowners over the edge into foreclosure. CBS News reports that foreclosures went up 30% from last February, and 6% from January. Nearly 12 percent of all Americans with a mortgage - a record 5.4 million homeowners - were at least one month late or in foreclosure at the end of last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. That's up from 10 percent at the end of the third quarter, and up from 8 percent at the end of 2007.

There are many challenges facing those wishing to secure vacant and foreclosed homes.

It's typical that foreclosed homes have all utilities disconnected. The lack of electricity renders the fundamental tools of security - lighting, security cameras and alarms - ineffective.

Some criminals treat foreclosed homes as "safe houses" for all manner of illicit activity. Teens use foreclosed homes as "party houses" where they can drink and use drugs without supervision. Drug dealers and drug users alike search out foreclosed homes for conducting their trade - as do prostitutes and gangs. Vagrants commonly use foreclosed homes for temporary shelter.

The ready availability of foreclosure addresses makes it simple for criminals with commercial and non-commercial motivations to select their targets.

Many items of value remain in foreclosed homes. Recessions spur those with latent, money-motivated criminal tendencies into action. Appliances are typically the highest value items remaining in foreclosed homes, but criminals with the right contacts can find buyers for cabinets, sinks, granite counter tops, toilets, pipes, windows and just about anything else that they can cut, pull, or pry out. Copper, despite the drop in price-per-pound, continues to attract scrap metal rings as well.

Arson is another dangerous crime associated with high foreclosure rates - sometimes it's commercially motivated by angry former homeowners. Previous owners are notorious for stealing or vandalizing their former property in acts of vengeance. There are many "gray area" periods in which the bank technically owns the property but the former owner still has access.

Fortunately today's surveillance technology makes it possible to place wireless battery powered cameras anywhere needed. A CPS Cam can actually run maintenance free for up to 2 years! With a wireless range of 2000 ft, 40ft night illumination and motion sensing, and the ability to be used outdoors all year long, the CPS Cam is the perfect solution for individuals and companies seeking to secure their investments.

It's important to have a well rounded security strategy. Security cameras, stickers, and signs won't help much if your property is telling the world that it is forgotten and unkempt.

Maintain the Foreclosed Property

External maintenance sends a strong signal to prospective thieves. Remove mail, clean up trash from the yard, cut and water the grass, make windows opaque and perform other measures that make clear statements that someone still cares about the property. For neighbors of foreclosed homes it's often advisable to take on some of this responsibility if the bank owner hasn't stepped up.

Change the Locks Immediately

Property preservation companies typically change locks - ideally this happens as soon as legally possible to prevent former owners from illegally entering. Former owners often enter their former property to remove appliances, furnishings, and other items for sale that are no longer theirs.

Consider a Solar Powered Mobile Surveillance Unit (MSU) if you have multiple vacant properties clustered in one area. This self contained surveillance powerhouse can be located virtually anywhere for maximum flexibility. With quick and easy setup, it's ready to connect and protect any property.

Call 800-520-1863 for a free, no obligation assessment of your security needs and see how much money you can save.