Which type of business is least likely to be burglarized?

• A. A business that is closed on weekends.
• B. A business that is open 24 hours a day.
• C. A business with visible security cameras.
• D. A business with a monitored alarm system.

Answer: (B)

Constant occupancy and active monitoring create the strongest deterrent against burglary. When a business is open 24 hours, there are always people around and there’s ongoing activity, which makes potential thieves think they’ll be noticed quickly by staff, security cameras, or a monitoring system. That reduces the opportunity for a break-in because the risk of detection is high.

The other factors help as well—visible cameras and a monitored alarm deter criminals—but their effectiveness relies on the presence of people and timely response. A business that’s closed for extended periods, or with less visible monitoring, offers longer windows of opportunity for someone to attempt a break-in.