Summer in the St. Louis metro area is a time for BBQs, family vacations, and enjoying the long daylight hours. But along with the sunshine comes a pressing question for homeowners: Is there really a summer crime spike, or is it just a myth? Many residents worry that burglaries and break-ins increase during the warmer months when homes are often left empty for vacations. At ABF Security, we’ll provide summer break-in prevention tips tailored to our community. By the end, you’ll be armed with knowledge and actionable advice to keep your property safe—and enjoy your summer vacation with peace of mind.
Is There a Summer Crime Spike in St. Louis Metro?
Every year, as June, July, and August roll in, local Facebook groups and neighborhood chats light up with warnings of break-ins. But does crime actually spike in the summer, or is it hype? Data and police reports suggest the spike is real. Nationally, statistics have long shown that home burglaries are more frequent during the summer months. In fact, one analysis of Justice Department data found most burglaries occur during summer, with nearly 11% fewer in winter and around 9% fewer in spring than in the summer months. Another study confirms that burglaries rise about 10% between June and August on average.
Closer to home, the St. Louis area reflects this seasonal trend. According to an analysis, the City of St. Louis experienced roughly 17% more crime incidents during the summer compared to other seasons, and St. Louis County saw around a 12% jump in summer crime as well. These aren’t trivial increases. Local law enforcement has noticed the pattern too. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported a rash of break-ins during the summer of 2024, with “multiple burglaries across the entire region” that eventually led to the arrest of a group of suspects believed responsible. And while overall crime in St. Louis has been on a downward trend, burglary bucked the trend with a small uptick, keeping police on alert.
So, is the “summer crime spike” a myth? Not in the St. Louis metro. Both national and local figures indicate that residential crimes—especially home burglaries and break-ins—do tend to increase during the summer months. In other words, when the temperature rises, so does the risk to your home. Understanding that risk is the first step; next, let’s explore why summer might invite more crime and what factors are at play in Missouri community.
Why Do Burglaries Increase During Summer Vacations?
Several factors make summer an appealing time for burglars. It’s not that criminals hibernate in winter—but summer presents more opportunities and fewer obstacles for would-be intruders. Here are some reasons experts and law enforcement give for the seasonal spike in break-ins:
More Empty Homes: Summertime is vacation time. Families often take extended vacations while kids are out of school. Entire neighborhoods might see many houses empty for a week or two. Burglars know this—an empty home is a prime target. An empty driveway, piled-up mail, or a dark house night after night can signal to thieves that it’s open season.
Longer Days & Casual Routines: We all love the long daylight of summer, but those extended hours can actually aid criminals. With daylight lasting until 8:30 or 9:00 PM in St. Louis at the peak of summer, people tend to stay out later—whether at Cardinals games, BBQs, or evening events. That means homes are unattended for longer stretches in the evening. Paradoxically, many burglaries happen in daylight as well (when homeowners are at work or out)—and summer has plenty of that. The relaxed summer mindset can also lead to lapses in security: windows left open to catch a breeze, doors unlocked while gardening in the backyard, or forgetting to arm the alarm system because you’re rushing to get on the road for vacation.
Good Weather = Active Thieves: Simply put, it’s more comfortable to prowl around when it’s 75°F at night, rather than 20°F with snow on the ground. In winter, harsh weather can be a deterrent to break-ins (as well as a deterrent to homeowners going on vacation). In summer, the pleasant nights and reliably dry weather make it easier for burglars to move around and spend time trying to defeat a lock or window latch. Police in other cities have explicitly warned that hot summer months are prime time for burglars because the conditions favor the criminals.
Visibility and Cover: Wait—isn’t more daylight a bad thing for a burglar? Not necessarily. Longer days mean people are more active outdoors, which can actually provide cover. A stranger walking down a street or lurking in a yard at 7 PM might not draw as much suspicion when many folks are out jogging or walking dogs (versus the same stranger at 2 AM in winter). Also, lush summer foliage—trees and shrubs—can create natural hiding spots. Overgrown hedges or high bushes (common in summer) can screen a burglar from view. This is why trimming landscaping is often recommended.
How to Prevent Burglary While You’re on Vacation
Nobody wants to return from a relaxing week at the Lake of the Ozarks or a trip to the Gulf Coast to find their home ransacked. Thankfully, preventing break-ins is often a matter of making your home less tempting and harder to hit. Police and our ABF Security experts emphasize layering your defenses: simple behavioral steps plus tech safeguards. Below are summer crime prevention tips homeowners in our region can use right away to secure their homes during vacation season. Here are some of the best smart home security options for vacation season:
Smart Ways to Stay Safe
Make Your Home Look Lived-In: Creating the illusion of activity is much easier with smart home devices. Smart lighting systems, for example, can be scheduled or controlled remotely to mimic your usual at-home routine. Perhaps at dusk, the living room and an upstairs bedroom light turn on (as if your family were home), then off at bedtime. Smart home hubs or voice assistants can operate shades, music, or TVs on a schedule too—noise and light can deter intruders by suggesting someone’s home.
Lock Up (Every Entry Point): It’s easy to double-check the front door, but have you secured all points of entry? Fumbling with keys is so last decade. Smart locks allow you to lock or unlock your doors via smartphone and give trusted people (like a house sitter or neighbor) a temporary code instead of a physical key. In vacation season, this means you can double-check you locked the door after leaving (from the airport, if needed!) and remotely let someone in to water plants without hiding a key under the mat. Some smart locks will even auto-lock after a set time or when your phone leaves the vicinity—a great fail-safe for forgetful vacationers. In the St. Louis region, where extended family or friends might swing by to check on things, smart locks provide convenience and security.
Monitored Alarm Systems: A traditional yet highly effective choice. A professionally monitored security system will sound a loud alarm and notify authorities if someone breaks in. Many modern systems let you arm/disarm from an app and send you instant alerts. Given the uptick in summer break-ins, an alarm system ensures that even if a burglar attempts entry, help is on the way fast.
Video Doorbells and Outdoor Cameras: See and speak to whoever comes to your door, from anywhere. If someone rings your bell to check if you’re home, you can answer from a beach in Florida, giving the illusion you’re inside. Motion-activated notifications also alert you if someone’s snooping around the front door. Likewise, outdoor security cameras covering key approaches (back doors, garage, yard) let you monitor your property 24/7. Modern cameras now have night vision and two-way audio. Some advanced systems include floodlight cameras that will flash lights and sound alarms when motion is detected, scaring off intruders. When choosing cameras, look for ones that store footage to the cloud (so you can review any incidents) and have a reliable power source. A camera system integrated with your smartphone means that even on vacation, your home is just a glance away. Some newer systems use AI-driven cameras that can distinguish between a person and, say, a stray cat—reducing false alarms.
Safe Summers in St. Louis. Peace of Mind is Priceless
Summer should be about making memories, not worrying about what’s happening back home. As you plan your next vacation, take a moment to plan your home’s safety too. Implement the tips above and you’ll travel with much greater peace of mind. Summer crime spike or not, burglars will always look for the easiest target.
Our goal at ABF Security is to make sure your home is not that easy mark. With a secure home, you can truly relax on that beach or enjoy that road trip, knowing you’ve done everything to protect what matters most. Contact our team today for a free consultation, and we’ll show you how to secure your home so you can stay safe and enjoy your summer.