Home Burglaries - Keep your eyes peeled (insurance, crime)

[SabresFanInSA]

Well it's that time of year again where it seems home burglaries increase. Last week the house across the street from me was burglarized and yesterday they got me.

Thankfully it looks like my 4 dogs scared them off but, of course not before they broke the front door and got the tv in the living room (nothing else missing).

There were witnesses on both occasions, although the first time it was from a distance. When they got me my neighbor saw them pulling out of my driveway and got a good look at the car and the occupants.

At this point what we know is that it is two hispanic males driving a red Honda hatchback (my tv was hanging out of the back and the license plate was attached to the hatch so no license plate#). They seem to be specifically looking for places where they are sure no one is home in the middle of the day.

They appear to be hanging around the Timber Ridge/Tara area and probably anywhere else in close proximity.

More than anything I just want to remind everyone to keep everything safe and try not to keep Christmas presents out in the open. It is bad enough having your stuff taken from your house but it would have really sucked to have presents taken as well.

[SnappyBob]

If there is any way that you can park a car in an otherwise empty driveway that would be a big plus.

[majormadmax]

Good suggestion, it is one of the benefits of having an extra vehicle; there is always one at home to give the appearance of someone being there. Plus, since my wife works at home; most of the time there is somebody at the house.

Anything you can do to deter a potential burglar helps, even having an alarm sign in the front yard is a deterrent but if you don't have a monitoring company you may want to consider one.

I miss our European houses, they were built like castles (thick stone and cinder block) and the doors and windows were a lot heavier than the ones here. You could drive a truck into our Belgian house and it still wouldn't breach the place. Here I feel I could almost punch a hole through a wall...

Cheers! M2

[hadleyzoo]

We've already been hit once...well twice in a way. Attempted car break in and a successful car break in on one night.

Hubby retires from the AF today and will have lots of time on his hands and will be staying home for awhile. Seems this year is the worst for any sort of break ins...or maybe I'm just hearing about it more or it's hitting closer to home since I know several people who have had either their vehicles or homes broken in to lately.

[SabresFanInSA]

Funny thing is that I usually work from home. I am ALWAYS here, but yesterday I had to go up to the office for a few hours.

I knew these guys were probably still around so when I got home it wasnt all that unexpected. I am of the belief I was a crime of opportunity

And I am with you M2. Even my house in Florida was built with cinder blocks. It would take a jackhammer to get in there.

We'll most certainly be reinforcing the front door and adding a lockable iron gate at the front (father in law is an iron worker).

I am also of the belief that if someone wants in bad enough, they'll get in. Just going to do what we can to minimize the chance and maximize the effort to get in.

[TexasRedneck]

That's the biggest challenge - if they want in, they'll do so. We have a monitored alarm, and both of us are armed (biggest concern is walking in on one in progress). Large safe(s), bigger dog - and nosy neighbors. We watch out for each other as much as possible. That, and an excellent insurance policy - because the odds of 'em being caught (especially in a large city) are slim.

[theeddie]

they will be "stopped" before they get caught. the castle doctrine is your friend. your neighbors should of went up to them and protected your property.

I really hope everyone has home protection. once the buglers know homeowners will protect themselves they will think twice.

[pzilla]

Also, be on the look out for people trying to steal packages being left on your front door. The other day, some random people were in my neighborhood (Wildhorse) walking around, pretending to sell something while looking inside peoples cars in the driveway. It's all too shady to me, IMO.

[carlitasway]

Originally Posted by pzilla

Also, be on the look out for people trying to steal packages being left on your front door. The other day, some random people were in my neighborhood (Wildhorse) walking around, pretending to sell something while looking inside peoples cars in the driveway. It's all too shady to me, IMO.

I remember dealing with something like that a few years ago. These guys were going around appearing to go door to door and one was looking in my car. I was on the phone but was in front of my open window when I saw the jerk. I opened the door and gave him the stink eye while still on the phone and told the person I was talking to to hold on and said firmly, "Can I help you?" They walked off.

[L210]

Years ago, some couple called the police on me for delivering newspapers. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have the police come up to your door when all of the neighbors are out? I didn't get an apology from anyone. This couple told the police it looked like I was staking out someone's house when all I was doing was throwing newspapers out of my window. It's funny how most officers do nothing when a parent is beating on their child, but they'll question me for 30 min. even after I showed them proof that I was delivering newspapers. People love to exaggerate, especially when you look a certain way. I'm not saying anyone here is exaggerating, but that couple did. Two cops came to my door in broad daylight for a 19 year old girl delivering newspapers. Tell me how come my neighbor had to wait two hours when she reported being beaten by her husband?