Another attempted break in--need advice please! (crime, home security, buy)

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by travelingfood

motion sensing sprinkler head that is used to deter small animals. rig it with pepper spray or something evil.
does the door open inward? put some steel horizontal bars behind it so can't be kicked in.

or have some neighborhood stake out.

completely and totally a bad idea, in our liberal and litigious world the bad guy can sue you for booby trapping your home and causing him injury. Also how would you have it work that some innocent like a deliveryman wouldn't be sprayed

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

completely and totally a bad idea, in our liberal and litigious world the bad guy can sue you for booby trapping your home and causing him injury. Also how would you have it work that some innocent like a deliveryman wouldn't be sprayed

I don't know if this is true or not, but I "heard" this story about a burglar who broken into someones house and decided to skinny dip in their pool, and he drowned, and then the burglar sued and won. Either way, I believe it.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

completely and totally a bad idea, in our liberal and litigious world the bad guy can sue you for booby trapping your home and causing him injury. Also how would you have it work that some innocent like a deliveryman wouldn't be sprayed

A delivery man does not show up at night and try to use a key. In case anyone is unfamiliar with with, Florida passed a law last year that effectively said that an intruder does not have to be inside your house in order for you to use deadly force to protect your property.

My advice...take a long nap, wake up, drink some coffee...turn on lights, unlock door...load gun, sit and wait. When intruder enters, ask for immediate explanation...if none can be given, pull trigger.

[palenciacondo]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I don't know if this is true or not, but I "heard" this story about a burglar who broken into someones house and decided to skinny dip in their pool, and he drowned, and then the burglar sued and won. Either way, I believe it.

If the burglar drowns in your swimming pool, how could he sue?

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by ShakenStirred

A delivery man does not show up at night and try to use a key. In case anyone is unfamiliar with with, Florida passed a law last year that effectively said that an intruder does not have to be inside your house in order for you to use deadly force to protect your property.

My advice...take a long nap, wake up, drink some coffee...turn on lights, unlock door...load gun, sit and wait. When intruder enters, ask for immediate explanation...if none can be given, pull trigger.

using deadly force to protect yourself and setting up a booby trap are 2 unrelated things, you can argue all you want to but there is a right way to do things and a wrong way. Also if someone does enter your home it would be quite foolish to engage them with questions, shoot first then clean up the mess

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

using deadly force to protect yourself and setting up a booby trap are 2 unrelated things, you can argue all you want to but there is a right way to do things and a wrong way. Also if someone does enter your home it would be quite foolish to engage them with questions, shoot first then clean up the mess

I agree with you on all this.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by palenciacondo

If the burglar drowns in your swimming pool, how could he sue?

The burglar claimed that the owner was negligent and should of put up a security fence.

[palenciacondo]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

The burglar claimed that the owner was negligent and should of put up a security fence.

Who is buried in Grant's tomb??

[MovintoJax]

I have lived with fear similar to yours because I used to live in an area in another state that had a lot of home invasions.

I personally am anti-gun -- could be used against you, you could use it on someone who doesn't deserve it, if you have children they or their friends could use it...there are plenty of other ways to try to ensure your safety without trying to take the law into your own hands. And what if someone breaks in while you're not home and steals your gun? Definitely don't need more of those on the street.

I'm surprised the dogs didn't scare them off...I was confused about whether your security system was ON when they tried to get in. We had a great system in our last house, we set it every time we left and every time we went to bed and it was LOUD when it went off (I accidentally set if off a few times...the signal went right to the security company and they immediately called the house to see if I was ok...and would dispatch an officer quickly. You could also set it to chime if a door opened.

I agree that you should keep the lights BLAZING at night (have more installed around your house if necessary). And what about a neighborhood security patrol? Is there one or can you rally the neighbors to try to do one? We had a security officer driving around periodically and I think the presence of cop cars is a good deterrent to criminals...we paid annual dues to have it and they would even swing by our house when we were out of town to check on it, which was comforting.

Other than that... make sure phone and cell phone are within your reach, especially at night. And adding more locks like other posters suggested can't hurt.

[palenciacondo]

Originally Posted by MovintoJax

I have lived with fear similar to yours because I used to live in an area in another state that had a lot of home invasions.

I personally am anti-gun -- could be used against you, you could use it on someone who doesn't deserve it, if you have children they or their friends could use it...there are plenty of other ways to try to ensure your safety without trying to take the law into your own hands. And what if someone breaks in while you're not home and steals your gun? Definitely don't need more of those on the street.

I'm surprised the dogs didn't scare them off...I was confused about whether your security system was ON when they tried to get in. We had a great system in our last house, we set it every time we left and every time we went to bed and it was LOUD when it went off (I accidentally set if off a few times...the signal went right to the security company and they immediately called the house to see if I was ok...and would dispatch an officer quickly. You could also set it to chime if a door opened.

I agree that you should keep the lights BLAZING at night (have more installed around your house if necessary). And what about a neighborhood security patrol? Is there one or can you rally the neighbors to try to do one? We had a security officer driving around periodically and I think the presence of cop cars is a good deterrent to criminals...we paid annual dues to have it and they would even swing by our house when we were out of town to check on it, which was comforting.

Other than that... make sure phone and cell phone are within your reach, especially at night. And adding more locks like other posters suggested can't hurt.

I agree. There is no substitute for excellent exterior lighting and a barking dog. Criminals do not want attention. Security systems are ok, except you must remember to activate it every night before sleeping! Some forget. And then there are all the false alarms which desensitize one to the system. Keep shrubs trimmed around windows and entrances. Motion-sensor lighting is the way to go as this saves electricity and greatly surprises invaders. Did someone see me and turn on the light?? I also have a switch next to my bed that will turn back exterior ligthing, if I hear anything. Not a gun person either, but I do keep a 7 iron under the bed.