A fire tears through your home. A storm blows out your windows. A vehicle crashes into your storefront. The immediate danger passes—but a new threat quickly takes its place.
Damaged properties are prime targets. Opportunistic criminals don’t need much of an invitation: an unsecured opening, a dark exterior, and obvious structural damage are enough. Understanding why this happens—and what to do about it—can mean the difference between a single loss and a much larger one.
Why Do Damaged Properties Attract Crime?
The answer is largely situational. Research on post-disaster crime consistently shows that damaged buildings send signals that normal protective routines have broken down. There’s no one home. There’s no functioning lock. There’s no alarm system. To an opportunist, that’s an open door—sometimes literally.
Looting and vandalism tend to spike in the days immediately following a disaster, before owners can arrange repairs or security. Vacant commercial buildings are especially vulnerable. A retail space with a boarded-up front looks far less appealing to a thief than one with a gaping hole where a window used to be.
Secondary damage compounds the problem. A break-in can result in stolen equipment, vandalized interiors, or even arson—turning a manageable insurance claim into a catastrophic one.
What Steps Protect Your Property After a Disaster?
Board up openings as fast as possible
Every open window, door frame, or wall breach is an access point. Emergency board-up services exist specifically for this window of vulnerability. Professional-grade plywood, properly installed, is far more effective than a tarp or makeshift fix. Boston Board Up provides 24/7 emergency board-up for homes and businesses across Massachusetts and New England, typically arriving within hours of a call.
Speed matters more than most property owners realize. The first 24 to 48 hours after a disaster are when crime risk is highest.
Install temporary fencing around the perimeter
For larger properties—or situations where structural damage is extensive—temporary fencing creates a clear physical and psychological barrier. It signals that the property is actively managed and monitored, which deters casual opportunists. Boston Board Up deploys temporary fencing for damaged buildings, hazard zones, and liability-sensitive sites across the region.
Keep lighting on
Criminals work best in the dark. If your property has power, keep exterior lights running. If it doesn’t, battery-powered or solar flood lights can serve as a low-cost deterrent while repairs are underway.
Document everything and notify your insurer immediately
This protects you legally and financially. Photograph all damage before any emergency work begins. Inform your insurance company right away—most policies require prompt notification, and proper documentation of emergency securement work is essential for reimbursement.
Don’t advertise the vacancy
Avoid posting on social media that your property is unoccupied or heavily damaged. It sounds obvious, but many homeowners inadvertently signal their absence online, giving local opportunists the information they need.
Don’t Leave Your Property Unprotected. Call Boston Board Up Today!
Visit us on our website or call us at 800-949-9113.
