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Alarm Sales Up As San Jose Sees Spike In Home Burglaries

SAN JOSE (KCBS) — Home burglaries in San Jose have risen considerably so far this year, causing a spike in purchases of security systems.

San Jose Police Department Spokesman Albert Morales said about 1,000 home burglaries occurred in January and February, a 13 percent increase from the same time last year.

Alarm companies are reporting a jump in business. Michael Santana with Direct Protection Security in Milpitas said his firm's sales are up 100 percent.

San Jose Police Report Spike In Home Burglaries, Security Systems See Spike In Sales

Last year, Santana said his company consistently sold between 50 and 60 systems a month. "Now we're at 100 to 120 a month," he said.

Santana said just having a sign that said you have a security system, even if you don't, reduces your chance of getting burglarized by 90 percent.

"As bad as these people are they still don't want to go to jail. When they see your sign they just leave you alone because they don't want to get the cops called on them," he said.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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