It does not help that many police departments have made announcements that they will no longer investigate these lesser property crimes. The officers will take a report, but have made it clear that they just don't thave the manpower or funds to investigate these crimes. In effect, this gives petty criminals free range--no prosecution in all likelyhood--bring it on.
This leaves us all open to home burglary and theft. Let's talk about what we can do to protect ourselves.
First of all lets define burglary.
Burglary, also called breaking and entering (and sometimes housebreaking), is a crime where someone gains entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft.
Here are some basics when considering how to protect ourselves and our homes in this regard:
- Deadbolt locks and double locks
- Install and use window locks that do not all easily release at the same time
- Keep shrubbery around entry ways and windows trimmed so that no one can hide in them without being seen easily
- Install motion sensor lighting around your home/property
- Install security systems on doors and windows that makes loud noise and alert police
- Install security cameras (if possible)
- Install backup power for motion sensor lights (or use solar) and security camera's
- Install heavy doors that are not easy to kick in
- Maintain tight seals and doorway trim around entry ways that is not easy to pop off
- Invite neighbors to join you in keeping an eye on each others property and know who usually comes and goes
- Get a dog--barking dogs are an effective alert system
Burglars are usually looking for the easiest opportunity with the least work and least chance of getting caught or interrupted. Therefore when you make it more difficult for them they will usually pick and easier target.
Let me be clear that there is no such thing as a full proof house. If a burglar is skilled and determined enough they can get in, but unless you have a particular item they are after or for some personal reason they are targeting you, then generally they want a quick easy job.
The next phase of this is what if someone brakes in while you are home?
You and your family, roomates, signifigant other should talk through this so you have a plan of action should this ever occur.
Senerio #1--If you are home alone and you hear someone or see someone brake in. What do you do?
My recommendation is number 1 --have a plan to get to the safest place in the house, one you can get to and lock yourself in. You want a sterdy door, with a good lock, and stuff you could block the door with like a dressers you could slide in front of the door. Access to a phone and or computer and possibly another way out. call 911 *even if you cannot speak at the moment they can track you in time.
Senerio #2--If more than one of you is home when a brake in occurs, what would you do? How would you work as a team?
This is why it is important to talk through this, so you have a plan.
My recommendation; If you have a weaker person in your group, ie. children, elderly person, handicap person. Then someone has to be responsible for getting them to safety, in security and personal protection services we call this person "the blanket". Assign that job.
Another person gets the phone and is in charge of once everyone gets to the designated safe room, locking the door and blocking the door, then calling 911.
Senerio #3--When someone comes home and finds that something is just not right. Maybe the door is adjar, or a window is open or broken that should not be and you have that feeling of something not being ok inside. What do you do?
My recommendation; Talk about what to do if this happens with those you live with. Many times people walk in on a burglary in progress and get hurt, when that is not what the burglar intended at all. When starteled the burglar quickly reacts out of fear and someone can get hurt. Burglars usually do not want any contact with people, that is not what the majority of them are about, but they also do not want to get caught in the act and go to jail.
If there is any question in your mind or in the mind of those you live with that something is out of place or not right then call the police and let them check it out.
Remember your flatscreen T.V. , laptop or any property is not worth your life!
Get renters or homeowners insurance that covers these things.
Even young adults in college I recommed renters insurance. It is unexpensive (most of the time as low as $10 to $20 per month) and burglary and theft is very common in college dorms or college apartment complexes. It is worth it parents!
Other recommendations:
yearly take pictures of your home, apartment and important personal belongings. You might be surprised that many times is your house/apartment is turned upside down by a breakin then it can take a while before you realize everything that is missing to report it. It helps law enforcement professionals as well as insurance companies if you have pictures and documentation of your cherished belongings. Make sure you have more than one copy of the pictures in case your computer is lifted also have them on a CD in your home safe, or a safe place. One safe place is to tape a CD with important personal information to the back of a family photograph. Nice art might be stolen but 99% of the time personal photographs are not.
No one should live in Fear!
Peaceful Warrior,
Sherry McGregor, Shihan
