Top 10 Ways Thieves Target Your Home in Arizona

Your home is your castle. When you look at your house, you see a sanctuary, a protected space for you and your family. However, not everyone will view your dwelling through the same lens. Some may see your house as an easy opportunity.

As an honest person, it might be hard to see your home through the eyes of someone who isn't. Thieves, crooks, burglars, and unsavory opportunists might look at your home and see the weak points, the best way to exploit your hard-earned life.

How can you keep your home and property safe? The Phoenix Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers advice to help make your home less attractive to criminals.

READ: Tips To Prevent Thieves From Targeting Your Car At Gas Stations

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Two Big Ways Arizonans Accidentally Invite Thieves

Scroll to the bottom to see our list of the top 10 ways Arizona families make their homes a target to thieves. If you spot any of the items on this list, you might want to make some changes.

First, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is leaving their garage door open. In Arizona’s warm climate, people often keep the garage cracked for airflow, but police say this is one of the first things burglars look for. An open garage can give a thief quick and easy access to tools, bikes, and even the door leading into the house.

READ: Immediately Remove These Stickers from Your Car, Arizona

When was the last time you trimmed the bushes around your home? The Mesa Police Department says that letting the landscape grow too tall around your home can create hiding spots. Burglars love shadowy corners where they can work unseen, and overgrown yards signal that a homeowner may not be paying close attention.

What Law Enforcement Recommends

Arizona law enforcement consistently stresses that simple, practical steps can keep your home safe.

They advise homeowners to keep entry points visible, lock everything (even during the day), and use lighting to their advantage.

Most burglars choose the easiest target, so anything that increases their effort or risk—like motion lights or cameras—pushes them toward another house.

The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of “natural surveillance." That means your home and all street-facing entryways should be visible from the street.

Five Easy Ways To Boost Home Security

• Install motion‑activated lighting around doors and walkways
• Trim shrubs and trees to eliminate hiding spots
• Close and lock garage doors, even when you’re home
• Add a video doorbell or basic camera system
• Use timers on interior lights when you’re away

What Thieves Look For

Here are the top 10 things crooks see when they look at your home. If you're doing these things, you could be making yourself a target.