Why you should blur your house on Google Maps - and how to do it
Share this @internewscast.com

People will go to all sorts of lengths to keep their homes safe, from fancy locks to security cameras.

But an expert has warned there’s one thing homeowners are forgetting to do that could be putting their house at risk.

Blurring your home on Google Maps might serve as a deterrent for burglars using the tool to study entry points, security setups, and potential valuables, he suggested.

And the simple tactic could stop would-be robbers from targeting your home.

Ryan Railsback, an officer with the Riverside Police Department in Southern California, mentioned that he knows of some homeowners who have already taken this precautionary measure.

And he urged others to consider doing it too.

‘The criminals are constantly seeking new and creative methods to target individuals,’ he told ABC News. ‘It’s beneficial for the public to be vigilant and counteract the tactics that criminals are employing.’

So, how do you go about blurring your home?

This home, in Phillimore Gardens in Kensington, has been blurred out. The road is home to some of the most expensive houses in the country

This home, in Phillimore Gardens in Kensington, has been blurred out. The road is home to some of the most expensive houses in the country

Only a home owner or tenant is eligible to request a house blur, Google says. Pictured: A blurred house in Knightsbridge, London

Only a home owner or tenant is eligible to request a house blur, Google says. Pictured: A blurred house in Knightsbridge, London

According to Google, anyone can request to blur their house if they prefer that it appear that way on Google Street View. 

‘Google Street View cars capture images from public roads, which might include your home,’ their website reads.

‘If an image contains inappropriate content, or you prefer your home not be shown, you can request it to be blurred.

‘Once Google blurs your home, the blur is permanent. Only the home owner or tenant is eligible to request a house blur.’

To blur your home on your computer or smartphone, you must first find it on Google Maps.

Open the Street View image that you want to blur, and in the bottom right click ‘Report a problem’. Complete this form and then submit.

‘We’ll review your report as fast as we can,’ Google says. ‘If you entered your email address in the form, we may contact you to get additional information or to update you on the status of your report.’

The safety tactic of blurring one’s home on Google Maps has been around for years, Christopher Herrmann, a professor of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, told ABC News.

This property in Glebe Place, London, has also been blurred. Once Google blurs a home, the blur is permanent

This property in Glebe Place, London, has also been blurred. Once Google blurs a home, the blur is permanent

The tactic could help deter burglars from targeting your property, experts said, along with other measures such as heavy-duty locks or alarm systems (stock image)

The tactic could help deter burglars from targeting your property, experts said, along with other measures such as heavy-duty locks or alarm systems (stock image)

The simple digital fix could stop robbers from targeting a given home, he said, adding: ‘Would-be thieves certainly want to scout their locations before they hit them.’

When seeking online images of a home, criminals look for valuable assets worth stealing and any security barriers that may be in place to stop them, he explained.

That includes identifying a home’s layout and entrance, as well as the presence of a front-door camera or exterior surveillance system.

However, the manoeuvre also risks backfiring – prompting burglars to wonder what you have to hide if you’re the only house on a street which is blurred.

A quick look along some of the UK’s most expensive streets reveals that certain homeowners have already taken this step.

Certain London properties in Phillimore Gardens in Kensington, Grosvenor Square in Mayfair and Knightsbridge have all been blurred out.

How to blur your house on Google Street View

To blur Google Street View you must send a request.

1. Find your home in Google Maps.

2. Open the Street View image that you want to blur.

3. In the bottom right, click ‘Report a problem’.

4. Complete the ‘Report a problem’ form and submit.

 

Source: Google Maps Help 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Doctor Confirms Official Cause of Death for Michael Madsen

Harrowing new details have emerged in Michael Madsen’s cause of death days…

Texas Flood Survivors Anxiously Await Potential Looters Amid Devastation

Survivors of the devastating Texas floods are now grappling with looters who…

Trump’s Remarks to Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

During Jimmy Carter’s funeral back in January, Donald Trump extended an invitation…

Sentencing Date Set for Diddy as Lawyers Finalize Agreement

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s sentencing will proceed as initially planned after his lawyers…

First Glimpse of Mary Lou Retton’s DUI Mugshots Surfaces

Olympian legend Mary-Lou Retton appears noticeably weary in her mugshot after being…

Celebrity Offspring Sparks Online Frenzy with Lavish Lifestyle Display

A daughter of two A-list stars, who was once dubbed the ‘ultimate…

Putin Proclaims ‘The Liberal Globalization Model Is Outdated’ at Somber BRICS Summit

Politics Entertainment Media Economy World London / Europe Border / Cartel Chronicles…

Shiloh Jolie Mirrors Her Mom During Outing with Alleged Girlfriend

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie was a mirror…

Expert Claims Brigitte Macron Dismisses and Overlooks Her Husband

According to a body language expert, Brigitte Macron repeatedly ‘rejected and ignored’…

Trump Pledges to Intensify Deportations with Strict ‘No Amnesty’ Stance on Migrants

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday there would be no amnesty for…

The on-trend paint color experts advise avoiding

Millennials have faced significant challenges in entering the property market, but those…

Wimbledon’s American Duo Sets Sights on UK Legends

Wimbledon’s American power couple have poked the bear by taking aim at…