Wednesday Nights See A Major Rise In Texas Break-ins

Every year when the clocks fall back and the nights grow longer, Texans are reminded to check their smoke alarms and prepare for cooler weather, but few realize that fall also brings something far more dangerous: a spike in home burglaries.

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According to DTSecurityAustin.com and FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, home break-ins in Texas have risen, and crime in general is up nearly 80% over the past decade, and Fall is the most active season for thieves. With more than 41 million children expected to go trick-or-treating this Halloween (U.S. Census), experts warn that while neighborhoods will be full of excited foot traffic, homes left unattended may become easy targets.

Halloween Season and Darker Evenings Bring More Risk

The end of Daylight Saving Time means darker evenings, and historically, more break-ins. The latest survey by Compare the Market AU found that:

• 29% of burglaries happen in the evening
• 24% occur between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Wednesdays and Fridays are the riskiest days for home break-ins
• Windows (31%) and back doors (26%) are the top entry points
• Only 1 in 3 homes had a working security system at the time of the crime

The average loss per burglary is $1,739, but nearly a third of victims reported $500-$1,000 in damages, a reminder that not all thefts make headlines, but they hit wallets hard.

Texas Cities Seeing the Most Burglaries

The South leads the nation with 43% of all burglaries, and Texas accounts for a large portion of that number. Here’s a breakdown of the most impacted cities:

Major Urban Areas (Total Burglaries)

• Houston - Over 20,000 burglaries annually
• Dallas - Among Texas’ highest property-crime rates
• San Antonio - Consistently ranks high for home break-ins
• Austin - Above-average burglary rates despite population growth

Smaller Cities (Per Capita Rates)

• Humble - Over 10,000 property crimes per 100,000 residents
• Lubbock - Continues to struggle despite crime-prevention efforts
• Beaumont - Regularly appears on dangerous-city lists
• Mount Vernon & Farmersville - Among the highest rates per resident

Experts link high burglary numbers to economic challenges, underfunded police departments, and rising substance abuse issues. Keep in mind that Texas has some of the most dangerous cities in the country.

How Texans Can Protect Their Homes

Prevention is key. Security experts recommend simple, practical steps to reduce your risk this season:

• Install motion-sensor lights and keep entryways well-lit.
• Lock all windows and doors, even during short errands.
• Use smart cameras or doorbell video systems when possible.
• Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out if you’re away for the evening.
• Keep porch lights on during Halloween night, both for kids’ safety and deterrence.

Let’s Keep This a Safe, Fun Fall

This time of year should be about pumpkins, costumes, and candy, not police reports. As a proud Texan, I want everyone to stay safe, smart, and alert, especially during the season when darkness falls early and temptation rises fast.

Let’s make sure our homes stay full of treats, not tricks.

Read More: How Texas Is Leading The Way In Drone Safety Initiatives