Yes, You Do Need a Security System Even if You Live in Utah — Or Anywhere Else

One of the common reasons we receive from homeowners is that they don’t need a security system because they live in a safe area. But what constitutes a “safe” area? Here’s why you need to make sure you’re reading the correct stats about your city and why a home security system is a good idea, no matter where you live.

What Makes Your Town Safe?

There’s a difference in crimes, of course. We all know that, but when we think of our towns being safe, which crimes are they actually safe from? A lot of times people only consider violent crime rates when considering where to live. But what about property crime? Often, this crime goes unnoticed or isn’t given quite the same publicity as violent crimes. 

So what exactly should you be looking for when visiting a crime site like Neighborhood Scout or Area Vibes? Of course, you’ll want to make sure violent crime is down, but also take note of property crimes.

Some Surprising Crime Stats in Utah

Did you know that Salt Lake City has one of the worst property crime rates in the nation? Like its fellow big cities in other states, it is not immune to theft and burglary. In fact, it’s far from it. It’s rated a 1 out of 100, with 100 being the safest score. A homeowner in Salt Lake City has a 1 in 10 chance of being stolen from. That not only includes theft from outside the home, but more aggravated robberies from inside the home. 

Looking at a perceived “nicer” city, such as Draper, will show a better crime rate, but it’s still surprisingly low. With a score of 28, you can expect that at some point you or someone on your street in Draper will experience property theft. To be more specific, 1 in 54 houses every year will experience this type of crime.

Yes, Crime Exists in Small Towns, too

Looking at smaller towns, you’d expect a bit better crime rate. After all, when we think of small towns, we think of close-knit communities that take care of one another. And while that still might be the case, there’s always a chance that someone from another town or even your own might stray from time to time. Richfield, Utah has a surprisingly high property crime rate. While the number of crimes is low compared to a bigger city, the crime rate (the percentage of crimes vs. the number of people) is high. In Richfield, your chance of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 32, whereas in Utah as a whole, it is 1 in 46, leaving Richfield—a nice small town—with a higher than average crime rate.

So whether you live in the big city, a small town, or a nice neighborhood, you always have a chance of being a victim of a property crime. So if you’re asking, we say yes, you do need a security system. Protecting your home with professional home security before that happens is the best way to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.