Archives June 2025

Rising Threats: Home Invasions Amid Civil Unrest in 2025

Home invasions are no longer isolated incidents. In recent years, and especially throughout 2025, we’ve seen a clear rise in residential attacks coinciding with moments of civil tension.

One of the most visible examples took place during the protests in Los Angeles earlier this year, where what began as peaceful demonstrations escalated into city-wide unrest. Several neighborhoods reported property damage, forced entries, and looting, not just of commercial spaces, but of private homes.

According to local authorities, over 120 cases of residential break-ins were reported during the peak of the LA protests, many of them concentrated in high-density urban areas but also reaching suburban homes. In some instances, organized groups targeted homes perceived as vulnerable, taking advantage of diverted police presence and public chaos.

This surge in criminal activity during unrest highlights a sobering reality: your home may become a target not only for burglars, but also for opportunistic rioters or looters when public order is compromised. This makes it more important than ever to assess your current security measures and implement layers of protection designed for both everyday safety and emergency scenarios.

Protecting your home or business: small details make a difference

When it comes to securing your home or business, it’s easy to focus on big-ticket items like alarm systems or surveillance cameras (and while those are important), it’s often the smaller, overlooked details that make the difference between vulnerability and true protection.

Criminals, especially during chaotic events like riots or coordinated burglaries, tend to look for easy targets. A weak door frame, an unlocked window, poor lighting, or even a predictable daily routine can be all it takes for them to strike. That’s why a layered security approach that addresses both major and minor entry points is crucial. Strengthening your perimeter with intentional, practical adjustments can buy you precious time and even deter an intruder altogether.

In the next section, we’ll break down specific, high-impact recommendations, from securing your doors and windows to rethinking visibility, motion detection, and emergency access protocols, designed to elevate your safety without requiring a complete overhaul.

🔐 1. Secure All Entry Points

The first and most critical step in protecting your home or business is reinforcing all potential entry points, especially doors and windows, which are often the weakest links in your perimeter.

• Reinforced Doors and Windows: Upgrade to solid-core doors with heavy-duty deadbolts and reinforce the strike plates with longer screws and metal backings. For windows, avoid standard single-pane glass and opt instead for impact resistant glass or anti-theft glass, which are designed to withstand forced entry attempts. You can also apply protective glass films that make it significantly harder to shatter or break through the surface.
• Smart Locks: Add an extra layer of control with smart deadbolts. These allow for remote locking and unlocking via your smartphone, and many models send instant notifications when a door is accessed—perfect for monitoring entry points in real time.
• Security Bars or Shutters: For properties in high-risk areas or commercial zones, rolling shutters and steel window bars provide added physical resistance. They can act as a strong deterrent against break-ins and are especially useful when the property is vacant or during periods of civil unrest.

🎥 2. Invest in a Reliable Security System

A robust security system isn’t just a luxury, it’s one of the most effective deterrents against looters, burglars, or violent break-ins. Especially in areas that have recently experienced unrest, like parts of Los Angeles in 2025, having eyes on your property 24/7 and a system that can trigger real-time alerts is essential.

• Add a Battle Door for Critical Entry Points: For those looking for maximum physical defense, consider installing a Battle Door at your most vulnerable entries. These doors, originally designed to withstand extreme impact (like a hurricane),are engineered with layered protective glass, steel cores, and anti-theft locking systems. Whether it’s a forced entry with tools, a riot scenario, or an attempted ram, the Battle Door holds its ground. Its industrial-grade construction makes it ideal for front doors, garage entry points, or any access area facing the street.
• 24/7 Surveillance Cameras: Strategically install high-definition cameras with night vision and motion detection at all key access points. Exterior-facing units should cover driveways, doors, and low windows. Look for systems that allow remote viewing and cloud storage for incident review.
• Monitored Alarm System: Choose a professionally monitored system that notifies local law enforcement or a private security firm immediately when triggered. The faster the response, the lower the risk of major damage or loss.
• Smart Sensors: Install glass-break detectors, entry sensors, and even motion sensors within your home or business. These can detect unauthorized activity and sound alerts before intruders make it far.