The second most imprtant thing on the minds of television news viewers these days is their personal safety. Number one is violent weather which, when you think about it, is also about personal safety. We want to know about criminal activity, in general, and specifically how to make sure we're safe and secure.
A buncha crooks have revealed what they look for before making you the victim of a home burglary.So many of us have come home after a day a work, an evening out, or from a wonderful vacation only to find that we have been invaded. We always ask ourselves, why me?
Sometimes, it's just the luck of the draw. But, not often. It's because we were specifically targeted. Up front, let's eliminate the crook-on-crook break-ins. Drug dealers and other lower-than-life bad guys are targets among their own kind.
A University of Missouri criminology professor interviewed 105 burglars for his book, Burglars on the Job. Security expert Chris McGoey put together some bullet points that I found interesting. You might, too. Read up, pay attention, and heed the warnings. It could save you some heartaches and your prized possessions.
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. (I'm always amazed at how many people stash their prized jewelry and even cash in a sock or underwear drawer. Burglars will invariably pull those out, even looking behind and underneath the bottom. And, you thought your stash-o-cash was safe taped to the bottom of the drawer)
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms. (Unless there's evidence of computers or expensive games there)
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (http://www.faketv/.com/)
A buncha crooks have revealed what they look for before making you the victim of a home burglary.So many of us have come home after a day a work, an evening out, or from a wonderful vacation only to find that we have been invaded. We always ask ourselves, why me?
Sometimes, it's just the luck of the draw. But, not often. It's because we were specifically targeted. Up front, let's eliminate the crook-on-crook break-ins. Drug dealers and other lower-than-life bad guys are targets among their own kind.
A University of Missouri criminology professor interviewed 105 burglars for his book, Burglars on the Job. Security expert Chris McGoey put together some bullet points that I found interesting. You might, too. Read up, pay attention, and heed the warnings. It could save you some heartaches and your prized possessions.
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..(thieves often pick up door hangers from all sorts of companies)
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (This is unbelievingly common. If you don't answer the front door, they will find an inconspicuous/hidden door or window to gain entry. If you do answer they will scan the interior, ask a few personal questions to get intelligence. On rare occasions, if you look weak or the potential loot looks like it's worth the risk, a burglary turns into a home invasion. And, those are dangerous to the homeowner).
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..(thieves often pick up door hangers from all sorts of companies)
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (This is unbelievingly common. If you don't answer the front door, they will find an inconspicuous/hidden door or window to gain entry. If you do answer they will scan the interior, ask a few personal questions to get intelligence. On rare occasions, if you look weak or the potential loot looks like it's worth the risk, a burglary turns into a home invasion. And, those are dangerous to the homeowner).
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. (I'm always amazed at how many people stash their prized jewelry and even cash in a sock or underwear drawer. Burglars will invariably pull those out, even looking behind and underneath the bottom. And, you thought your stash-o-cash was safe taped to the bottom of the drawer)
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms. (Unless there's evidence of computers or expensive games there)
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
(Another little trick, if you have one, is to leave a police scanner turned on, and cranked up enough to be able to hear it outside the door. Don't turn it up so loud that the thief can actually tell what's being said, just loud enough so he can hear a variety of voices. Scanning a multitude of law enforcement and emergency channels in almost any town will ensure you of some almost constant "chatter".)
8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors. (Make friends with your neighbors. Form a Community Watch group. It can be informal. One or two good neighbors are great to have. They know when you're gone, and they know if something just looks wrong. A nosy neighbor, poking his/her head out the window when a car stops in your driveway can be a good thing. Making their presence known to the stranger can be a deterrent. About dogs. Loud, barking ones are good. If they're inside the house. Outside, even in a fence, the most vicious dog can be easily silenced. A tasty treat, laced with a sedative or even poison, can render them useless after a short time. Another reason that nosy neighbors should pay attention when a dog starts barking, even if he stops barking after a while).
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.(Something to discuss with your neighbors. If you ahve an alarm, glass-shattering detectors are great. Talk about those with your alarm company)
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it? (An unarmed alarm is totally useless. I guess it's the same mentality that folks have who live ialong the coast: we haven't had a hurricane in 15 years, so why should I make preparations this year?)
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets. (When it's daylight, it's almost impossible to see into a home because it's generally darker inside. However, when it's dark out, your interior is lighter. You can't see outside, but everyone else can see you. When the sun goes down, it's time to close the blinds)
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. (If you think all those folks who befriend you are actually your friends, think again, You might even want to look over your FRIENDS list, just to be sure you know those folks. Even if they are, indeed, your friends, you never, ever know who they know, who inadvertently, in innocent conversation, will spill the beans that you're on a cruise. Maybe you should think about adopting the WWII slogan, Loose Lips Sink Ships.)
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation. (If you leave your home, even for a short run to the supermarket, LOCK all windows and doors. Thieves are opportunists. They don't like to work hard. Otherwise, they wouldn't be thieves. They look for easy pickings, and temptations like open windows are open invitations. If you're an open-air person, check on locks that will allow your window to be open a couple inches, but prevent them from being opened any further. No locks, however, will guarantee total security. If the temptation is great enough, they'll break a window)
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in. (Many a person has been surprised getting out of the shower, or waking up from a breif nap, to find they've been ripped off. If you want to take a nap, or jump in the shower, for goodness sakes, LOCK YOUR DOORS!)
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors. (Make friends with your neighbors. Form a Community Watch group. It can be informal. One or two good neighbors are great to have. They know when you're gone, and they know if something just looks wrong. A nosy neighbor, poking his/her head out the window when a car stops in your driveway can be a good thing. Making their presence known to the stranger can be a deterrent. About dogs. Loud, barking ones are good. If they're inside the house. Outside, even in a fence, the most vicious dog can be easily silenced. A tasty treat, laced with a sedative or even poison, can render them useless after a short time. Another reason that nosy neighbors should pay attention when a dog starts barking, even if he stops barking after a while).
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.(Something to discuss with your neighbors. If you ahve an alarm, glass-shattering detectors are great. Talk about those with your alarm company)
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it? (An unarmed alarm is totally useless. I guess it's the same mentality that folks have who live ialong the coast: we haven't had a hurricane in 15 years, so why should I make preparations this year?)
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets. (When it's daylight, it's almost impossible to see into a home because it's generally darker inside. However, when it's dark out, your interior is lighter. You can't see outside, but everyone else can see you. When the sun goes down, it's time to close the blinds)
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. (If you think all those folks who befriend you are actually your friends, think again, You might even want to look over your FRIENDS list, just to be sure you know those folks. Even if they are, indeed, your friends, you never, ever know who they know, who inadvertently, in innocent conversation, will spill the beans that you're on a cruise. Maybe you should think about adopting the WWII slogan, Loose Lips Sink Ships.)
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation. (If you leave your home, even for a short run to the supermarket, LOCK all windows and doors. Thieves are opportunists. They don't like to work hard. Otherwise, they wouldn't be thieves. They look for easy pickings, and temptations like open windows are open invitations. If you're an open-air person, check on locks that will allow your window to be open a couple inches, but prevent them from being opened any further. No locks, however, will guarantee total security. If the temptation is great enough, they'll break a window)
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in. (Many a person has been surprised getting out of the shower, or waking up from a breif nap, to find they've been ripped off. If you want to take a nap, or jump in the shower, for goodness sakes, LOCK YOUR DOORS!)
Ok, that's what the crooks out there had to say. Here are some additional precautions you can take to keep your name and address off the police blotter.
Have a pool? Generally, they're in the backyard. If you're going to be lounging around, or playing in, the pool, be sure your doors are locked.
If you're working in the yard, either front or back, lock your doors. There's no way you can keep an eye on front and rear entrances while you're pulling weeds.
Mowing the front yard? Yep, your mower is loud. When it's running, your back yard and back door are easy targets.
Did you leave an ax, a rake, a shovel, or other tools outside? Crooks don't want them, in general, but they certainly like to have them to break a window and jimmy a door. Put them away when you're finished with them.
Guns make you feel safe? Several thoughts here. IF you have them, don't advertise it. That's a secret you don't even need to share with your neighbors. The loose-lips thing applies. Guns are great prizes for crooks. They bring a lot of money on the streets. And, if you have one for self protection, then make sure you know how and WHEN to use it. Having a trusty 6-shooter around might make you feel safe, but unless you have some training, it's likely to become the cause of your death if a thief, unaware that you're home, breaks in.
That's a nice garage and workshop you ahve there. A lot of garages, it seems, face the road. And, you would not believe the number of homeowners who leave their garage doors open, showing everyone who walks or drives by, all the nice power tools haning on the wall. Power tools are good prizes, as well. Go to any pawn shop, and you'll see a lot of them there.
WhIf you have valuables, like guns and power tools and electronics, mark them. For firearms, of course, record the serial numbers. AND, take the stock or grip off (usually, one or two screws, and you're in), and write your driver's license number or your name inside. Do not use your social security number. Cops can't "run" those as easily. For games and power tools, pick up a vibrating etching tool. Items that can be easily traced are not nearily as valuable. Even pawn shop operators are leary of them.
There's good and bad about this advice. Follow it, and you'll reduce your chances of becoming a victim. That's good. The bad part is that the crooks will still be out there, preying on someone who hasn't heeded the warnings.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (http://www.faketv/.com/)
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