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Aaron Steensma: Lessons Learned from Professional Athletes | January 10, 2025 (0 comments)
Gunter, TX--The FBI has recently issued a warning regarding a crime trend targeting professional athletes. Criminal organizations, often originating from South America, are exploiting tourism visas to enter the United States and commit burglaries at athletes' homes, frequently while the athletes are at games. The combination of a predictable schedule, active social media presence, and high net worth makes these individuals ideal targets for these highly skilled, transient criminals. Their ability to flee the area immediately after committing a crime further complicates law enforcement efforts to locate and apprehend them.
By studying these high-profile burglaries, we can uncover critical insights and identify patterns that will inform the development of effective security solutions designed to protect families, homes, and peace of mind. Given the "success" these criminals have experienced, it is plausible to anticipate this trend expanding beyond professional athletes to broader communities, including corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and businesses owners, such as jewelers.
Common Threads in the Crime Trend
The criminals engaging in these activities demonstrate a high level of sophistication. They often operate in organized crews, with each member assigned a specific role. For example, during my time as a detective, I encountered one burglary crew composed of four individuals. Each member had a distinct task: one would cut the Wi-Fi and power to the target home, another acted as a lookout, a third was responsible for forcing entry into the target home, and the last served as the getaway driver. Through the course of the investigation, we learned that everyone on the crew had a vast knowledge of their task either through experience, or trade in their country of origin.
Once inside the home, their coordinated efforts continued. Some members focused on ransacking the property, while others searched for and disabled interior security cameras, including battery-operated devices supported by cellular networks. This level of sophistication presented unique investigative challenges, often resulting in lengthy investigations. Additionally, these crews did not remain static; members were frequently interchanged, making it nearly impossible to link individuals to a specific offense in different areas.
Identified Vulnerabilities and Patterns
By studying these professional athlete burglary incidents, several commonalities have emerged:
- The targeted individuals typically reside in single-family homes rather than condos or apartments.
- These homes often back up to green spaces, such as golf courses, wooded areas, or creek beds, providing privacy and an exploitable point of entry.
- Entry points are frequently at the back of the home, where privacy reduces visibility and detection risk.
- Even homes in guarded and gated neighborhoods—typically considered secure—are not immune to these attacks.
- It is believed that no one will be home during the burglary.
Broader Implications
The financial impact of these crimes is significant, with many burglaries resulting in six figure losses, including irreplaceable sports memorabilia. The “success” of these criminals is likely to inspire copycat operations, potentially targeting other affluent neighborhoods and high-net-worth individuals beyond the realm of professional sports.
By thoroughly understanding the methods, vulnerabilities, and patterns associated with this emerging crime trend, we can proactively design and implement preventive measures to safeguard individuals, families, and communities. These insights are crucial for developing comprehensive security strategies capable of addressing the evolving tactics of sophisticated criminal organizations.
Adopting a comprehensive, proactive approach to both home and corporate security is the most effective solution to protecting people and property. The repercussions of a burglary extend far beyond financial losses; the intangible effects, such as the emotional and psychological impact, can be personally and professionally devastating. I have witnessed individuals feeling compelled to relocate their homes or businesses simply to regain their sense of safety and security after such incidents.
By prioritizing prevention and learning from these crime trends, we can help mitigate these risks and provide peace of mind.
Eight recommendations to help prevent burglary and minimize loss
1. Create the appearance of occupancy in your home while you are away. With advancements in smart home technology, it has become significantly easier to remotely manage features such as lighting, televisions, and other devices to give the impression that the home is occupied, even when it is not.
2. Incorporate motion-activated lighting into your exterior security strategy. These criminals are exploiting green spaces due to the privacy they provide. By integrating motion-activated lighting directed at any green space behind your home, you increase visibility and the likelihood of detection.
3. Properly maintaining your landscaping is essential for home security. Overgrown shrubs and bushes can provide concealment for criminals attempting to break into your property. By keeping vegetation trimmed—particularly near windows—you eliminate potential hiding spots for intruders. An open, well-maintained yard not only enhances curb appeal but also reduces opportunities for criminals to exploit privacy.
4. Security window film. This invisible barrier is proven to slow and stop criminals. Much like an automobile windshield that can withstand multiple impacts before completely breaking, security film provides an additional layer of protection that slows criminals attempting to break into homes or businesses. This additional barrier can act as an effective covert security measure designed to deterrent and delay unauthorized entry.
5. Secure valuable possessions such as jewelry or cash in a safe or a safe deposit box rather than leaving them in open unsecured areas like bathroom countertops. A large, high-quality safe that is bolted to the foundation provides an extra layer of protection that is difficult to breach.
6. Security alarm system. A reliable alarm system with an audible alert is crucial for detecting unauthorized entry. Incorporating glass break sensors enhances security by detecting forced entry through windows. This is particularly important for vulnerable areas, such as bedroom windows or large windows in primary bathrooms, which are common points of entry for intruders.
7. Security camera systems. Not all security cameras are created equal; factors such as frames per second and image resolution significantly impact performance. Depending on your specific needs, consider a system capable of providing clear footage and extending visibility beyond property boundaries, especially at night. Systems with motion detection and illumination features offer an added layer of protection, enabling early detection and real-time alerts for suspicious activity.
8. Document Your Assets. Proactively create an itemized inventory of your possessions, complete with professional-grade photographs, written descriptions, and current appraisals. In the event of a loss—whether personal or business-related—this documentation will be crucial for insurance claims. Hiring a professional service with specialized equipment to assist with this process is highly recommended to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
By studying current and historical crime data, we gain powerful insights into effective preventative measures. Although this is not an exhaustive list for home and business protection, it provides the foundation for developing a comprehensive preventative security strategy. When implemented correctly, individuals and businesses can take actionable steps proven to deliver meaningful protection. A proactive approach not only safeguards your tangible assets but also secures the invaluable asset, peace of mind.