We live in a large metropolitan area, in a neighborhood that was "okay" when we bought our home 31 yrs ago, that is now one of the "hot, new, exciting!" neighborhoods. So funny!
I was born and raised urban. Casual crime is a given. As long as there's no guns going off, it's no biggie.
We have an alarm system from one of the national companies. It has the ability to control one lamp (owner's choice) on any schedule one wishes. I also have a second light on a separate remote timer in a spare bedroom.
Having the alarm system signs around the house has worked to keep burglars away. We do travel in retirement, so feel more comfortable having the house wired for alarms.
Doesn't deter the "smash and grab" thieves that hit cars parked on the streets, but our risk of that is actually fairly low in this area. Nobody has basements or attics, so everybody's garages are stuffed full of things! Hardly anyone puts their cars inside the garage, LOL; we all just park on the street outside the house.
Biggest car theft risks are the catalytic converters. Professional burglary rings target them for the precious metals in them. It's a super-easy theft, apparently - takes less than 60 seconds to cut one out.
The favorite car target is the Toyota Prius. It is so light, they don't even have to jack it up. Two guys just tilt the car upwards on one side, and a third goes underneath to cut the converter out. The gangs will focus on one neighborhood at a time, traveling from city to city. They'll hit 15-20 cars in less than an hour; then go on to another street a dozen miles away, hit another two dozen cars. Rinse; repeat.
After 4-5 hrs they call it a night, split up the money, and plan to meet again in another couple of weeks.