The Cates Murder: Home Security Suggestions (Epping, Mont Vernon: houses, buying, schools)

[greenmartian]

There's a really good thread over on NES that has some good home security suggestions that folks might want to read.

It references the awful murder of Kim Cates in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire.

The criminals were looking for a house with little or no over signs of security. The thread has a lot of good suggestions.

Here's the link, I hope you all find it helpful:

The Cates Murder: Home Security Suggestions

[dictum9]

Interesting thread.
Must take extra measures in our economy.

[BF66389]

Very informative. As always the best system is one with multiple layers ranging from passive deterrence, to denial of opportunity, to active deterrence, to active defense.

[Valerie C]

Interesting (and horrifying) but please keep in mind that this home invasion/murder had little, if anything to do with the economy. The criminals were not people who did this act to save themselves from financial hardship....

Originally Posted by dictum9

Interesting thread.
Must take extra measures in our economy.

[BF66389]

Also want to add that while firearms are a great equalizer of strength in a situation; they are only has useful as the individual behind them. Buying a firearm and letting it sit in a drawer is like buying a table saw and never taking it out of the box. A skilled woodworker practices with their table saw and can make gorgeous furniture. A skilled shooter practices with their firearm and can protect their family if required (and have an enjoyable target-shooting hobby otherwise).

We are lucky in NH to have some excellent opportunities for firearms instruction both at clubs, events, and at commercial schools (Sig Sauer Academy in Epping for example). Practice and training are a key part of the personal safety equation.

Likewise many stores offer classes in replacing locks, installing alarms, etc- a great way to be able to secure your home, learn something new, and save some $$$.

[sgthoskins]

Good info.

[dognh]

A dog that barks.

The choice between robbing/invading a house with a barking dog and a quiet house is a simple one.

Also, a gun does you know good if you wake up and there's a guy with a hatchet over your bed.
The dog at least gives you a chance to make a grab for the equalizer.

[MCNPA]

A dog is the best deterrent. People that are casing houses will almost always avoid the one with the dog if possible. Dogs can alert, bite and a criminal might be faced with all types of circiumstances they'd rather avoid.

Firearms have their place as well. Use of something like a simple pump-action shotgun can go a long way. If you're real concerned about security, then I'd say both are good ideas.

[GotBackHome]

dogs are not necessarily that much of a deterrent if the invasion is being planned and the house is cased. If they know there's a dog, they just plan for it. a bit of meat with or without a tranquilizer in it usually takes care of the dog. don't necessarily count on having a dog to be your main protectant.

there used to be a show on Discovery called 'it takes a thief' run by 2 ex-theives who show how easy it is to break in and what happens in a simple burglary. One episode the guy was actually in the house at the time and never knew a thing. Sometimes there were dogs - the guy entering (as opposed to the host) talked about how dogs really weren't an issue and it was easy to make them your best friend. You could see the dogs just follow him around and then lose interest. Yes, of course after viewing the recording of the 'invasion' they did get all their stuff back - and then all sorts of instruction and security goodies.

[3DogNight]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

Sometimes there were dogs - the guy entering (as opposed to the host) talked about how dogs really weren't an issue and it was easy to make them your best friend. You could see the dogs just follow him around and then lose interest.

This dude never met my dogs. I'd hate to be anyone who tries to stick their hand through the gate to grab the snap-trigger latch on the gate. He'd draw back a stump...if he lived and didn't get yanked through the fence.

Are you talking about that tv show? Where they break in and then tell you what you're doing wrong? I saw an ex-coworker was on this show once - it appeared that she called the show to get her husband to understand that his security system was foolish and ineffective. This woman's husband had fancied himself a home security expert with a closed circuit loop and a computer monitor watching the house on the kitchen counter and people broke in anyway. I think it just proves that if someone really wants what's in your house, they're going to find a way to get it.