I think it helps if the neighbors have seen how your house is furnished and realize that you have nothing of value... particularly the neighbor's chatty teenagers.A few weeks back when we had a lot of snow on the ground someone came a stole her and two neighbors' AC for the copper during the night while they were home! Then last week a neighbor was moving and left their pit bull in the house. It's a good thing they did because someone came while they were at the new house and drilled the locks out. The pit bull scared them so they left with nothing.
But if you're the kid with the reputation at school of having all the really cool gadgets & toys then it's only a matter of time.