Window safety film could deter burglars

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A rash of burglaries is forcing Seminole County homeowners to find new ways of protecting their belongings and their homes.

Their new plan of protection comes in the form of a paper-thin film.

The window safety film comes in a range of colors from clear to a dark tint. It bonds with glass and makes it much harder for a burglar to break in.

The city of Sanford has seen more than 800 burglaries in the past year, WFTV learned.

The cities of Casselberry, Longwood, and Altamonte Springs have seen an increase as well.

"It's definitely something that's been increasing in the past three to four months," said Matt Fisher with Orlando Window Tint Specialists.

Companies that install window safety film that WFTV contacted said their sales are up by as much as three times what they saw six months ago.

Surveillance video posted online demonstrates how it works.

Two men try to break into a Texas business. The glass shatters easily, but the film remains, making it tough to get in. the would-be crooks eventually give up.

"It's going to take a piece of glass that would normally shatter in seconds, minutes; between five to 10 minutes sometimes, for somebody to break in the actual film," Fisher said.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office recommends the film to home or business owners trying to prevent burglaries.

WFTV