Homeowners in Massachusetts are getting on board with a new nationwide trend of erasing their homes from the radar of would-be thieves.
People are blurring their properties on Google Maps to deter potential burglaries.
The safety tactic of blurring one’s home on Google Maps has been around for years.
It’s recently gained momentum among homeowners who believe it provides another layer of security by eliminating public access to information about their property.
“Our very homes we live in, the vehicles we drive, the locations we stay are available to anyone around the globe,” said Boston 25 News security analyst Dan Linskey. “We live in a digital world where almost everything we do is under surveillance.”
Linskey, who’s the former superintendent-in-chief of the Boston Police Department, said organized criminals are analyzing properties using Google Street view to scout potential targets.
He told Boston 25 News they’re analyzing the value and layout of homes, how to get in and out and if there’s a visible front-door camera or exterior surveillance system.