Police in Glendale are warning residents that burglars have recently been using Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt home security feeds.
When speaking to KTLA’s Ellina Abovian, Glendale Police Department Sgt. Victor Jackson said the trend has arrived in the last few months.
“Our burglary detectives are doing investigations on cases, making arrests and we’re seeing what they’re doing, how they’re getting into people’s homes, how they’re going undetected in some cases,” Jackson said. “It’s because of these Wi-Fi blockers.”
Jackson said suspects have been using Wi-Fi blockers to disrupt the signals between security cameras and video feeds, affecting systems such as Ring Cameras. The blockers can prevent residents from being notified when someone approaches or enters their home.
“As a result of that, the alarm company’s not triggered, [police aren’t] triggered,” Jackson said. “And they’re able to get into the home undetected.”
Jackson added that while burglaries in Glendale are down, the Wi-Fi blocker epidemic is happening throughout Southern California.
Glendale has been proactive in an effort to combat home burglaries. Glendale PD established a residential burglary task force comprised of officers seeking to find ways to prevent home break-ins.
For those concerned about their home security cameras being compromised, Glendale PD offered the following tips:
- Hardwire security cameras
- Install better gates and outdoor lighting
- Keep extra batteries for cameras
- Lock second-floor windows and doors
- Have a trusted neighbor watch your home when you’re away
